Objective: to Learn About Conservation of Momentum by Watching Different Types of Collisions

Collisions with Interactive Physics

Objective: To learn about conservation of momentum by watching different types of collisions between objects and measuring their momenta before and after collision.

Activity A: Elastic Collision 2

1. a) open Interactive Physics 2000 b) under File, Open, open “Physics Experiments” –> “Collision” –>“Elastic 2”

2. Run the experiment, observing the motion of the two balls as they move along. Stop the experiment after the gliders collide.

3. Use the ‘tape player’ controls at the bottom to move through the experiment before and after the collision. Complete the table below.

NOTE: To see exact numbers for the velocities (instead of estimating from the graphs) do this: a) click on the ball b) go to Measure (at top of screen); then Velocity, highlight All – repeat for other ball

Mass of Velocity Momentum Mass of Velocity Momentum Total A of A of A B of B of B momentum (A + B) (kg) (m/s) (kg m/s) (kg) (m/s) (kg m/s) (kg m/s) Before Collision

After Collision

4. Describe the motion of the balls as they move along. Describe the velocities of the balls before and after the collision.

5. Do you think momentum was conserved in this activity? Explain your answer.

6. Why is it especially important to take the vector (amount & direction) nature of momentum into account for this activity? Collisions with Interactive Physics

Activity B: Inelastic Collision 2

1. Close “Elastic 2”, and open “Inelastic 2” (from the same folder)