Verify the conservation of momentum law, therefore find change in kinetic energy and momentum 0.

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Momentum and energy changes in one-dimensional collisions

Physics HL

Introduction:

Conservation of momentum is one of the most important and universal of the  of physics; it holds true even in situations where modern theories of physics apply. That is amazingly useful because it means that ONE can tell what is going to happen after a collision before it has taken place.

Law of conservation of momentum: when two or more objects act on each other, their total momentum remains constant, provided no external forces are acting.

Law of conservation of energy: Energy is never destroyed; it is just converted from one form to another. body in motion possesses kinetic energy.The kinetic energy possessed by a body depends on its mass and its speed.

Purpose: To verify the laws stated above, therefore find change in kinetic energy and momentum 0.

Hypothesis: After all the measurements and calculations have been performed, the percentage change in momentum and the percentage change in kinetic energy will be zero.  

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Apparatus: Metre Rules

Stopwatches

Triple beam balance

Electronic top-pan balance

Light gates attached to Acorn Risc computer (with software for light-gates)

Wheeled trolleys and track

Mass bars

Air track and gliders

Mass discs

Spreadsheet and other software

Calculator (included in Excel)

Method:

  1. Put air track on firm stable desk or table
  2. Weight (mass) trolleys separately and record their mass.
  3. Put 2 trolleys on air track facing each other in opposite directions
  4. Put bands on each trolley so that they push each other after collision
  5. Install two light gates and then connect them ...

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