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Lab Report Conservation of Momentum Experiment

The lab report summarizes an experiment on the conservation of momentum using a Vernier track and carts. The experiment measured momentum before and after elastic and inelastic collisions between two carts. While the results showed differences in momentum rather than conservation, human errors in timing were likely responsible. Going forward, the group recommends being more precise in measurements and studying collision types more to improve the experiment.

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131 views11 pages

Lab Report Conservation of Momentum Experiment

The lab report summarizes an experiment on the conservation of momentum using a Vernier track and carts. The experiment measured momentum before and after elastic and inelastic collisions between two carts. While the results showed differences in momentum rather than conservation, human errors in timing were likely responsible. Going forward, the group recommends being more precise in measurements and studying collision types more to improve the experiment.

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api-327824120
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lab Report

Conservation of Momentum Experiment

Members

Ingtawan Tritrakoolsin (Ing)


Pemika Phatthanakittichai (Pair)
Natwadee Puncha-Arnon (Mint)
Sumate Saelow (Jew)
Nattanon Veerakul (Non)
Introduction

Momentum is the property of moving things, thus all moving


objects have momentum. Momentum can be calculated by multiplying
the mass of the object with its velocity, which can be written as
M omentum = mass velocity .

The Law of Conservation of Momentum can be stated as follow:


In the absence of an external force, the momentum of a system
remains unchanged. When collisions with the absence of external
force occur, the net momentum before collision equals net
momentum after collision, which can be stated in an equation form as:
(net mv)bef ore = (net mv)af ter . Collision can be classified into two
types; Elastic collision and Inelastic collision. Elastic collision occurs
when colliding objects rebound without lasting deformation or any
generation of heat. Inelastic collision occurs when colliding objects
result in deformation and/or the generation of heat.
Objective
To demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Momentum

Materials
1 low friction Vernier Track

2 Vernier carts

Mass scale
Worksheet

Stop watch

Set-up
Procedures

Inelastic Collision
Set the vernier
Place Cart 2 at 80 cm and place Cart 1 at 100cm
Push Cart 2 and start the timer
When Cart 2 hits cart 1 at 100 cm, lap the timer.
When the cart reaches at 120 cm, stop the timer.
Record data and reset the timer

Elastic Collision
Place Cart 2 at 80 cm and place Cart 1 at 100cm
Push Cart 2 with the same force and start the timer
When Cart 2 hits cart 1 at 100 cm, lap the timer.
When Cart 1 reaches at 120cm, stop the timer
Record data and start doing calculation
Data and Results Calculation

a. Inelastic Collision

M1 513.66 g

M2 514.06 g

V1 ( before ) 0 cm/s

V2 ( before ) = Distance T ime


= 20 cm 0.55 s
36.4 cm/s

Distance travelled by Cart 2 before 20 cm


collision

Distance travelled by Cart 1 and 20 cm


Cart2 after collision

V ( final ) = Distance T ime


= 20 cm 1.02 s
19.6 cm/s

Momentum before collision = M 1V 1 + M 2V 2


= (513.66 0) + (514.06 36.3)
= 18660.378

Momentum after collision = (M 1 + M 2 )V f


= (513.66 + 514.06) 19.6
= 20155.07
2(M omentum bef ore collision M omentum af ter collision) 100
% difference = M omentum bef ore collision + M omentum af ter collision
2(18660.378 20155.072) 100
= 18660.378 + 20155.072
= 35.3%
b. Elastic Collision

M1 513.66 g

M2 514.06 g

V1 0 cm/s

V2 = Distance T ime
= 20 cm 0.66 s
30.3 cm/s

Distance travelled by Cart 2 before 20 cm


collision

Distance travelled by Cart 1 after 20 cm


collision

V1 ( final ) = Distance T ime


= 20 cm 0.52 s
38.5 cm/s

V2 ( final ) 0 cm/s

Momentum before collision = M 1V 1 + M 2V 2


= (513.66 0) + (514.06 30.3)
= 15576.018

Momentum after collision = M 1 V 1f + M 2 V 2f


= (513.66 38.5) + (514.06 0)
= 19775.91
2(M omentum bef ore collision M omentum af ter collision) 100
% difference = M omentum bef ore collision + M omentum af ter collision
2(15576.018 19775.91) 100
= 15576.018 + 19775.91
= 10.3%
Analysis of Result
In theory, the momentum before collision and after collision
should be the same, so the difference in percentage of the momentum
before collision and after collision should be zero. However, when we
conducted the experiment, the results were not like what we had
expected at all because there were human errors to take into
consideration as well.
In the inelastic collision experiment, the momentum after
collision is higher than the momentum before collision with the
percentage difference being 35.3%. Also, in the elastic collision
experiment, the momentum before collision is lower than the
momentum after collision with the percentage difference 10.3%.
We suspected the reason why our results turned out the way it
did is because of human errors. During the experiment, we discovered
that we couldnt time the when the carts reached their respective
distance properly because they were moving too fast for us to see. So,
we think that is the reason why our results turned out the way it did.

Conclusion
In this experiment, we learned more about momentum and
collision. Using the vernier track and carts, we tried to find the velocity
before and after in both elastic collision and inelastic collision. After
getting the velocities, we calculated the momentum and percent
difference. Our results werent right. The percent differences in both
collisions should be 0% or the momentum before and after collision
should be the same. As stated before, we think it is because of human
mistakes. It was impossible for us to place a vernier cart at an exact
point or lap or stop the timer exactly.
However, we still learned a lot from doing this lab report. We
learned that momentum before and after should be the same. We also
learned new momentum formulas.
Recommendation
We made a lot human mistakes. If we have a chance to conduct
this experiment again in the future, we will try to be as precise as
possible. Also, we were confused about inelastic and elastic collisions
during the experiment. We should have researched and and studied
more about collisions so there wouldnt be any questions during the
experiment.

References
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/linear-momentum
/elastic-and-inelastic-collisions/a/what-are-elastic-and-inelastic-c
ollisions
Work Log

Date Name Job


10/11/2017 Pair, Mint, Ing, Did the experiment and recorded
Jew, Non experimental result
13/11/2017 Pair Wrote the introduction

Mint Wrote the objective and data and results


(Elastic Collision)
Ing Wrote the materials

Jew Wrote the data and results (Inelastic


Collision)
Non Started writing procedures

14/11/2017 Pair Started writing the analysis of result


Mint Finalized the data and results (Elastic
Collision)
Ing Started working on decorations (cover page
and set-up)
Jew Finalized the data and results (Inelastic
Collision)
Non Finished writing the procedures
16/11/2017 Pair Finished writing the analysis of result
Mint Wrote the conclusion and finalized the
work log
Ing Finished working on decorations
(materials)
Jew and Non Finalized the whole report and checked for
any grammatical or calculation mistakes
17/11/2017 Pair, Mint, Ing, Printed and turned in the report
Jew, Non

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