SCIL AB NO.

4-2

GROUP 3-MOMENTUM
OBSERVATIONS
CASE 1
Illustrations
Size Size
(marble used) (marble hit)
Before After

Medium Large
CASE 2
Illustrations
Size Size
Before
(marble used) (marble hit)
Before After

Large Medium
CASE 2
Illustrations
Size Size
Before
(marble used) (marble hit)
Before After

Large Medium
CASE 3
Illustrations
Size Size
(marble used) (marble hit)
Before After

Small Small
CASE 3
Illustrations
Size Size
(marble used) (marble hit)
Before After

Small Small
ANSWERS TO
GUIDE
QUESTIONS
1. WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE
DIFFERENT MOMENTUM OF THE MARBLES?

The factors that affect the different momentum

of the marbles are the force exerted on the marble,
the distance, its mass and velocity, and the presence
of air.
2. WHICH CASE IS AN EXAMPLE OF ELASTIC
COLLISION? INELASTIC COLLISION? WHY DO
YOU SAY SO?
Case 2 is an inelastic collision because when the
marbles collided, they moved in a common velocity.
While Case 1 is an elastic collision. This is because
the marble stopped after colliding with the other
marble showing a sign of complete transfer of energy.
2. WHICH CASE IS AN EXAMPLE OF ELASTIC
COLLISION? INELASTIC COLLISION? WHY DO
YOU SAY SO?
Case 3 is also an elastic collision because the
two marbles “bounce” apart when they collided, also
indicating a complete transfer of energy.
3. BASED ON YOUR OBSERVATIONS IN EACH
CASE, HOW WOULD THE INITIAL MOMENTUM
OF THE MARBLES AND THEIR FINAL
MOMENTUM BE COMPARED?
Based on our observations, marble A’s final
momentum in case 1 dropped to zero because it
stopped after the collision and probably marble B’s
(initial momentum is zero) final momentum was
lesser than marble A because marble B had greater
mass than marble A.
3. BASED ON YOUR OBSERVATIONS IN EACH
CASE, HOW WOULD THE INITIAL MOMENTUM
OF THE MARBLES AND THEIR FINAL
MOMENTUM BE COMPARED?
In case 2, we observed that the mass of marble A
was greater than marble B, so the final momentum of
marble B was greater than the initial momentum of
marble A. Marble B (initial momentum is zero) rolled
faster than marble A after the collision.
3. BASED ON YOUR OBSERVATIONS IN EACH
CASE, HOW WOULD THE INITIAL MOMENTUM
OF THE MARBLES AND THEIR FINAL
MOMENTUM BE COMPARED?
In case 3, we observed that the mass of marble A
and marble B was the same, so the initial momentum
of marble A was the final momentum of marble B
(initial momentum is zero). Since case 3 is an elastic
collision, the speed of marble A was the same before
and after the collision but the momentum would be
negative because the direction of the marble was
reversed.