Lab5_Momentum

PHY 101 Lab 5: Momentum Data Table 1 Table 1A. Cart A before collision. Cart A mass, m A (kg) Displacement, Δx (m) Time, t (s) Average time, t (s) Velocity Δx/t (m/s) = v A 0.0776 0.5 0.6284 0.5029 0.9942 0.4448 0.4444 Table 1B. Cart A after collision. Cart A mass, m A (kg) Displacement, Δx (m) Time, t (s) Average time, t (s) Velocity Δx/t (m/s) = v A ’ 0.0776 0.5 0.2513 0.2514 1.9889 0.2514 0.2514 Table 1C. Cart B after collision. Cart B mass, m B (kg) Displacement, Δx (m) Time, t (s) Average time, t (s) Velocity = d/t (m/s) v B ’ 0.0771 0.5 0.1257 0.1256 3.9810 0.1257 0.1256 Data Table 2 Table 2A. Cart A before collision.

Cart A mass, m A (kg) Displacement, Δx (m) Time, t (s) Average time, t (s) Velocity Δx/t (m/s) = v A 0.1998 0.5 0.63 0.64 0.7813 0.64 0.65 Table 2B. Cart A after collision. Cart A mass, m A (kg) Displacement, Δx (m) Time, t (s) Average time, t (s) Velocity Δx/t (m/s) = v A ’ 0.1998 0.5 0.32 0.33 1.5152 0.33 0.35 Table 2C . Cart B after collision. Cart B mass, m B (kg) Displacement, Δx (m) Time, t (s) Average time, t (s) Velocity Δx/t (m/s) = v B ’ 0.1993 0.5 0.30 0.31 1.6130 0.32 0.31 Data Table 3 Table 3A. Cart A before collision. Cart A mass, m A (kg) Displaceme nt, Δx (m) Time, t (s) Average time, t (s) Velocity Δx/t (m/s) = v A 0.3461 0.5 0.63 0.62 0.8065 0.62 0.62 Table 3B. Cart A after collision. Cart A mass, m A (kg) Displaceme nt, Δx (m) Time, t (s) Average time, t (s) Velocity Δx/t (m/s) = v A ’ 0.3461 0.5 0.31 0.32 1.5625 0.32 0.34 Table 3C. Cart B after collision. Cart B mass, m B (kg) Displaceme nt, Δx (m) Time, t (s) Average time, t (s) Velocity Δx/t (m/s) = v B ’ 1 © 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company

2. What did you observe when Cart A containing added mass collided with Cart B containing no mass? How does the law of conservation of momentum explain this collision? What did you observe when Cart A containing added mass collided with Cart B containing no mass? How does the law of conservation of momentum explain this collision? In this collision scenario, when Cart A (with added mass) collides with Cart B (with no mass), the law of conservation of momentum predicts that the total momentum of the system before the collision should equal the total momentum after the collision, assuming there are no external horizontal forces acting on the system. Here's how the law of conservation of momentum explains this collision:  Before Collision : Cart A (with added mass) is initially in motion, so it has momentum, while Cart B (with no mass) is stationary, so it has zero momentum. The total momentum before the collision is the momentum of Cart A.  After Collision : After the collision, the two carts may move together as one system, or they may separate. In either case, the total momentum after the collision should still be equal to the total momentum before the collision, as long as there are no external horizontal forces at play. The observation depends on the specific details of the experiment:  If the two carts stick together and move as one, Cart B will start moving in the direction of Cart A after the collision.  If the two carts separate after the collision, Cart A will continue in its original direction, and Cart B will move in the opposite direction. In both cases, the law of conservation of momentum asserts that the total momentum should be conserved. The specific outcomes depend on the masses and velocities of the carts and the details of the collision. 3. In one of the experiments, Cart A may reverse direction after the collision. How is this accounted for in your calculations? In one of the experiments, Cart A may reverse direction after the collision. How is this accounted for in your calculations? 3 © 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company

If Cart A reverses direction after the collision, it means that the direction of its velocity changes, and this change in direction should be accounted for in the calculations. The law of conservation of momentum still holds true, but you need to consider that the momentum of Cart A after the collision has a negative direction compared to its initial momentum. To account for the change in direction, you should include the sign of the velocity or momentum in your calculations. For example, if the initial velocity of Cart A was positive (in one direction), and after the collision, it moves in the opposite direction, you should treat the post-collision velocity as negative when calculating momentum. In summary, when Cart A reverses direction after a collision, you need to be mindful of the sign of its velocity or momentum to correctly apply the law of conservation of momentum in your calculations. 4 © 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company