Lab #

Skill : AI and ORR

Title: Collisions and Momentum (Simulation)

Aim: To investigate the "law of conservation of momentum" by observing virtual collisions

between carts.

Apparatus: Internet and a computer or smartphone

Theory:

1. The formula for momentum is mass multiplied by velocity. The SI unit is kgm/s.

2. The principle of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum before a
collision is equal to the total momentum after a collision.

3. The difference between elastic collision and inelastic collision is that in an elastic
collision both energy and linear momentum is conserved. However, in an inelastic
collision only momentum is conserved because kinetic energy is converted to different
forms of energy.

Procedure:
1. The website link below was accessed: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-
Interactives/Momentum-and-Collisions/Collision-Carts/Collision-Carts-Interactive
2. The activities and the questions were completed. It was ensured that the directions were
denoted by the appropriate sign (+ or -). The left was positive and the right was negative.

Diagram

Result
 TABLE SHOWING DATA COLLECTED OF THE MASS, VELOCITY AND MOMENTUM
OF TWO CARS BEFORE AND AFTER A COLLISION FOR ELASTIC COLLISION

Elastic Before Collision After Collision

Collision
m1 u1 P1 m2 u2 P2 m1 v1 P1 m2 v2 P2
kg m/s kgm/s kg m/s kgm/s kg m/s kgm/s kg m/s kgm/s

Identical 1 -3 -3 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 -3 -3
mass
Different 1 -5 -5 3 0 0 1 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 -7.5
masses
Different 1 0 0 3 5 15 1 7.5 7.5 3 2.5 15
masses
(Reverse)
varying 2 -5 -10 3 10 30 2 13 26 3 -2 -6
masses
and
velocities
varying 2 10 20 3 -5 -15 2 -8 -16 3 7 21
masses
and
velocities
(Reverse)

TABLE SHOWING DATA COLLECTED OF THE MASS, VELOCITY AND MOMENTUM

OF TWO CARS BEFORE AND AFTER A COLLISION FOR ELASTIC COLLISION

Inelastic Before Collision After Collision

Collision
m1 U1 P1 m2 u2 P2 m1 v1 P1 M2 v2 P2
kg m/s kgm/s kg m/s kgm/s kg m/s kgm/s kg m/s kgm/s
Identical 1 -5 -5 1 0 0 1 -2.5 -2.5 1 -2.5 -2.5
mass
Different 2 -10 -20 3 5 -15 2 1 -2 3 -1 -3
masses &
Velocities
Different 2 -5 -10 3 10 30 2 4 8 3 4 12
masses &
Velocities
(Reverse)
Data Analysis

Part A

Prediction: as the moving mass hits the stationary object of similar mass the momentum of the
moving object will be shared or transferred totally to the stationary object which will result in the
stationary object moving after the collision.

Outcome: Yes the total momentum before the collision was equal to the total momentum after
the collision.

Discussion: In the experiment, the blue car was initially stationary, and the orange car was
moving before the collision. Upon collision, the momentum of the orange car was transferred to
the blue car, causing it to move in the same direction as the orange car was moving. As a result,
the orange car came to rest, making its momentum zero after the collision.

Part B
Prediction 1: if the car that is originally moving hits a heavier car it will slow down and reverse
and then the heavier car will move forward but with a reduced velocity.

Outcome: Yes the total momentum before the collision was equal to the total momentum after
the collision.

Discussion: This confirms my prediction because after the collision the velocity of both cars
were reduced and they went in opposite directions.

Prediction 2:the car with the larger mass that was moving initially will slow down and the
smaller mass car that was stationary will move off with a faster velocity.

Outcome: Yes the total momentum before the collision was equal to the total momentum after
the collision.
Discussion: This confirms the prediction made because the results were the same as the
prediction.

Part C
Prediction: If the car that is moving hits a heavier car that is moving faster the car would move in
the opposite direction with a greater speed and the heavier car would slow down but continue in
the initial direction.

Outcome: Yes the total momentum before the collision was equal to the total momentum after
the collision.

Discussion: To some extent it confirmed the prediction however the heavier car also changed the
direction it was moving in.
Part D
Prediction: If a car that is originally moving hits and sticks to a similar mass car that was initially
stationary then both cars will share the momentum because they become one.

Outcome: Yes the total momentum before the collision was equal to the total momentum after
the collision.

Discussion: As car O and B collide with each other both cars stick together and then they share
their velocity so the car O initial velocity split in half after the collision and as a result both
objects have the same momentum and move in the same direction.

Part E

Prediction 1:If a lighter car moving at a higher velocity collides with a heavier car moving at a
lower velocity, both cars will stick together and come to a stop if their momenta are equal.
However, if their momenta are not equal, the combined cars will move in the direction of the car
with the greater momentum, but at a reduced velocity.

Outcome: Yes the total momentum before the collision was equal to the total momentum after
the collision.

Discussion: The results confirm the prediction that both cars stuck together and then they moved
off in the direction of the object with the greater momentum; however the velocity was reduced
significantly and they shared the same velocity.

Prediction 2: If a lighter car moving at a slower velocity collides with a heavier car moving at a
higher velocity, both cars will stick together and the smaller car will move in the direction of the
larger car with a greater velocity.

Outcome: Yes the total momentum before the collision was equal to the total momentum after
the collision.

Discussion:The results disproved the prediction. In the experiment both cars had the same
velocity and the velocity was reduced. However, the total momentum before and after the
collision was the same.

Conclusion
It can be concluded that momentum is conserved in both elastic and inelastic collisions. Meaning
the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after a collision.
Mark Scheme:

Criteria Marks
Organization of Work 3
Appropriate sub- heading A 1
Sub- headings in logical order B 1
Subject matter under appropriate sub- heading C 1
2. Velocities of carts before and after collision 4
Realistic magnitudes D 2

Correct sign ( + or -) E 2
3. Table 7
Correct and consisted decimal points F 1
Appropriate underline title G 2
Neat with for distinct sides H 2
Headings with correct units I 2
Both 2
Only one 1
Total ORR 14