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Momentum experiment final

The document outlines an assessment rubric for a practical experiment on the conservation of linear momentum, detailing the setup, procedure, and evaluation criteria. It includes sections for recording measurements and calculating momentum before and after collisions, as well as theoretical questions regarding momentum. Additionally, it provides a memorandum with answers and marking guidelines for the practical task.

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9 views

Momentum experiment final

The document outlines an assessment rubric for a practical experiment on the conservation of linear momentum, detailing the setup, procedure, and evaluation criteria. It includes sections for recording measurements and calculating momentum before and after collisions, as well as theoretical questions regarding momentum. Additionally, it provides a memorandum with answers and marking guidelines for the practical task.

Uploaded by

syabusiswantsele
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PART A: ASSESSMENT OF LEARNERS’ CONDUCT OF THE EXPERIMENT

NAME: _____________________

Skills 0 1 2

Setting up of No mark 1 mark 2 marks


apparatus
The entire setup is The setup has been All the components
incorrect for this attempted but have been correctly
experiment there are one or set up
two mistakes which
can compromise the
experiment.

Precision Measurements are Measurement for Measurements for


incorrect for both one trolley is both trolleys are
trolleys incorrect correct.

Rubric mark = 4
PART B
PRACTICAL TASK: THE CONSERVATION OF LINEAR MOMENTUM
KNOWLEDGE AREA: MECHANICS

AIM: in this experiment we verify the principle of conservation of linear momentum.

A. INTRODUCTION
Momentum (p) of a body is the product of its mass (m) and its linear velocity (v), measured
in kg.m.s-1. i.e p=mv.

The principle of conservation of momentum states that: The total linear momentum of an
isolated system remains constant (conserved)

The total linear momentum before a collision = the total linear momentum after the
collision.

(mA + mB)vi = mAvAf + mBvBf

APPARATUS
• Two trolleys (one must be spring loaded)
• Meter stick
• Two barriers
• Runway
• Mass meter

PROCEDURE

1. Measure the masses of the two trolleys and write down your results.
m1……………………….. m2……………………….. (2)
2. Set up the apparatus as indicated in the diagram

3. Put the two trolleys back on the track in a position that will make them hit the barrier at
the same time. Mark this position.
4. Repeat the procedure in 6 and measure the distances covered x1 and x2
x1…………………………………………………… x2………………………………………………………….. (2)
5. Record your results in the following table (with correct SI units)
Repeat the experiment by using different masses m3 and m4 and complete the table. (3)

After the collision


m1 ∆𝑥1 = 𝑣1 m2 ∆𝑥2 = 𝑣2

6. Take one set of values and determine the following:


a. The momentum of trolley 1 after the collision (3)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b. The momentum of trolley 2 after the collision (2)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. What is the total linear momentum of the trolleys after the spring is released (2)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
d. What conclusion can you draw from your answer in (c) above?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(2)
Part C:

1. Define momentum in words. (2)


………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Write down the equation representing the Principle of conservation of momentum (2)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Is momentum a vector or scalar? Support your answer (2)
4. Explain in your own words why it is acceptable to take the displacements of the trolleys x1
and x2 as a measure of the velocity of the trolleys. Use suitable equations to motivate your
answer. (3)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Two trolleys with given masses move at a velocity of 3 m.s-1 to the right. The
trolleys are connected by a compressed spring that is released to separate the
trolleys, such that the velocity of B increases from 3 m.s-1 to 6 m.s-1 in the same
direction.

3 ms-1

5.1 Name the law or principle that enables you to calculate the new velocity of trolley A
immediately after the two trolleys were separated. (1)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5.2 Calculate the new velocity of trolley A. (5)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. A student on a skateboard, with a combined mass of 78,2 kg, is moving east at
1,60 m.s-1 . As he goes by, the student skilfully scoops his 6,4 kg backpack from the
bench where he had left it. What will be the velocity of the student immediately
after the pickup? (5)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Part B: MEMORANDUM

Law of conservation of linear momentum

1. mA = _______________

mB = _______________ (2)

3. The one that is closest to the barrier 


4. Both trolleys experience same force (Newton’s third law of motion) 
The velocities at which they move away are the same. 
5. x1 = _____________
x2 = _____________
6.

After the collision


m1 ∆𝑥1 = 𝑣1 m2 ∆𝑥2 = 𝑣2
 

7a. p=mv 

p=( ) ( ) 
p=_______
p=_______ + direction 

7b. p=mv

p= ( ) ( ) 
p=_______
p=_______ + direction 

7c. p total = p1 +p2

= ____ + _____

=____________

7d. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 
Part C (MARKING GUIDLINE)

1. Momentum is the product of the mass and velocity of an object. 


2. mA viA +mBviB = mAvfA + mBvfB 
3. Momentum is a vector quantity.  It is expressed in terms of magnitude and direction. 
4. m1 and m2 move in opposite directions to hit the barrriers at the same time. Therefore the
time taken by each one to reach the barrier is the same. Therefore the magnitude of the
distance travelled by the trolleys is equal to the magnitude of their velocities.

∆𝑥1 ∆𝑥1 ∆𝑥2


(𝑚1 + 𝑚2) = 𝑚1 +𝑚2 
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡 ∆𝑡

This can be simplified to

−𝑚1 ∆𝑥1 = 𝑚2 ∆𝑥2

6.1 The principle/law of conservation of linear momentum. 

6.2 Total p before = total p after 

3(m + 2m)  = m(v) + 2m(6) 

9m = mv + 12m

v = -3 m.s-1

v = 3 m.s-1 to the left 

7. Total p before = total p after 


mSviS + mBviB = (mS + mB)v

(78,2)(1,6)+ (6,4)(0)  = (78,2 + 6,4)v

v = 1,48 m.s-1

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