Collision Lab- Conservation of Momentum (Newton’s 3rd Law)

Directions: Go to the website http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/collision-lab

Make sure the 1-d box is checked. Click on “More Data” to expand the data table.
Part 1
Scenario #1:
100% Elastic collision between balls of equal mass
1. Make a hypothesis about initial and final momentums before playing with the sim.
I think the initial momentum of the balls of equal mass would be that they
start from the same approximate area, like in the middle.

2. Complete the following data tables for each ball before and after each trial. Perform 2
trials with 2 different sets of balls of equal masses.
Trial 1 Before Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 0.500 1.250 0.625

2 1.500 0.250 0.375
Total 2.000 1.500 1
Trial 1 After Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 0.500 -0.260 -0.125

2 1.500 0.750 1.125
Total 2 0.590 1.000
Trial 2 Before Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 0.500 -1.250 -0.625

2 1.500 0.250 0.375
Total 2 -1 -.25
Trial 2 After Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)

1 0.500 -0.260 -0.125

2 1.500 0.750 1.125
Total 2 0.590 1
Part 1
Scenario #2:
100% Elastic collision between balls of unequal mass
1. Make a hypothesis about initial and final momentums before playing with the sim.

Initial Momentum: Final Momentum: A: Initial Momentum: Final Momentum:

2. Complete the following data tables for each ball before and after each trial. Perform 2
trials with 2 different sets of balls of unequal masses.
Trial 1 Before Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1 1.5 1 1.5
1.5
2 -1 -1.5
Total 3 0 0
Trial 1 After Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1.5 -1 -1.5
1
2 1.5 1 1.5
Total 3 0 0
Trial 2 Before Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1 2 4 8

2 2 -3 -6
2
Total 4 1
Trial 2 After Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1 2 -3 -6
2 2 4 8
Total 4 1 2

3. What is the relationship between the initial and final total momentums in Scenario 1? In
Scenario 2?
The initial momentum of one cart plus the initial momentum of the other cart must
equal the final momentum of the two cart system.

4. Describe the motion of the balls before and after the collision in Scenario 1. Describe the
motion of the balls before and after the collision in Scenario 2.

the total amount of momentum before a collision is equal to the total amount of
momentum after a collision.
 Part 2 100% Inelastic Collisions
For the scenario fill out the data table, and make a hypothesis involving the conservation of
momentum. Collect some data and prove or disprove your hypothesis.
Scenario #1
Elasticity %: 0%
100%
Hypothesis:
Use phet calordo slims collision coo..3

Before Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1 1 1
2 1 0
Total
After Sim
Ball Mass (kg) Velocity (m/s) Momentum (kg*m/s)
1
2
Total
Hypothesis accepted or rejected?

Accepted

Summary
In a minimum of 3 sentences, describe the main ideas learned in this activity regarding initial
and final total momentum in these collisions.

The law of conservation of momentum states that in an isolated system the total
momentum of two or more bodies acting upon each other remains constant unless an
external force is applied. Therefore, momentum can neither be created nor destroyed.