air track collision experiment

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Experiment #5 - Lab Report

Physic (psy 270), molloy college.

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Air Track Conservation of Momentum and Energy Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

Objective To determine the momentum through an inelastic and elastic collision.

Procedure The first part of the experiment is the preliminary set-up. In this portion of the lab, the apparatus necessary to complete the lab is assembled. After assembly is completed, the physical work can begin. The second part of the lab involves inelastic collisions. First, pushing glider 1 gently so that it collides and sticks to the initially stationary glider 2 must be practiced. Pushing the glider properly is important because, once connected, it must make it to the end of the track. The final velocity at this point should be much smaller than the initial velocity. After practicing pushing the glider multiple times, the timers should be set. Each timer should be set to gate mode initially and then reset. Glider 2 should be placed, at rest, between the two gates and closer to gate 2 than gate 1. Next, glider 1 should be pushed so that it passes through gate 1, collides and sticks to glider 2, and passes through gate 2. The times on each timer should be recorded at this point. The initial and final velocities should also be calculated at this point. The initial and final momentums should also be calculated at this point for each of the three trials. The last portion of the experiment deals with elastic collisions. First, 50 gram masses should be placed on each glider that will be involved with the air track. The masses of each glider should then be recorded for later calculation purposes. Sliding glider 1 into glider 2 should be initially practiced in order to ensure that the proper push speed is maintained. Glider 1 should almost stop in its place upon its collision with glider 2 if the two masses are almost identical. Glider 2 should be placed halfway between the two gates. The timer should be reset and glider 1 then pushed to ensure that it will pass through gate 1, collide with glider 2, and pass glider 2 through gate 2. The second glider must not pass through gate 2 for a second time. This will provide incorrect data for the experiment. The times at each gate should be recorded. The initial velocity of glider one should be determined while the second initial velocity should be denoted as 0. The final velocity of glider 2 should be calculated while the final velocity of the first glider should be assumed to be 0 because of its minimal size. The initial kinetic energy, final kinetic energy, initial momentum, and final momentum should then be calculated as well.

Experimental Data Masses

Object Mass

1st red block 0

2nd red block 0

Gold block 0

Inelastic Collisions Red-Red

Red car 1 t Red car 2 t Distance

Vi Vf pi pf Momentum discrepancy

0/s 1/s 0/s .109 Kgm/s 64%

0/s 0/s 0/s 0/s 74%

0/s 0/s 0/s 0/s 65%

Inelastic Collisions Red-Gold

Red car t Gold car t Distance

0/s 0/s 0/s 0/s 25%

0/s 0/s 0/s 0/s 45%

0/s 0/s 0/s 0/s 52%

Calculations See attached sheet.

Conclusion This lab was slightly more difficult to complete than the previous laboratory experiments. It included multiple calculations including velocity, kinetic energy, momentum, and momentum discrepancy. When first beginning the experiment, the first pieces of data that were recorded were the mass of the objects, time, and distance for each trial. This data was used to make further calculations into initial and final velocities, initial and final momentum, and the kinetic energy found within the experiment. The procedure stated above was used in order to complete parts 2 and 3 which involved inelastic and elastic collisions of both same mass (almost) cars and different mass cars. The purpose of collecting data on both the same mass and different mass cars was to observe the difference in energy and momentum when the masses are changed. The momentum discrepancies found for the recorded data were generally very large in value. The smallest percentage was calculated to be 45% which is not considered to be of good value for the experimental procedure. Some of the calculated percentages were so high that they could not be recorded as valid as they would be represented as a value greater than 100%. This is not possible as percentages typically should not be greater than that. Sources of error were most likely due to human error or wrongful procedure during the actual experimentation. Items like incorrect time recordings and distance errors could have resulted in such large discrepancies throughout the experiment. The performance of this experiment was not as smooth as it was meant to be.

Questions In part 2, for the inelastic collision in which the masses were different, calculate the total kinetic energy before and after the collision. How much kinetic energy was lost during the collision? What happened to this energy? KE(initial)= 1/2mv^ =(½)(0)(0/s)^ =0 KE(final)=1/2mv^ =(½)(0)(0/s)^ =0 KE(lost)=0.019J-0 =- The energy that was lost from the kinetic energy was converted to a different type of energy such as heat energy. For example, when the car was moving along the air track, the kinetic energy created while initially in movement could have been transformed into mechanical energy. This energy would not be kinetic but, would help the car to continue to move down the track.

In the same inelastic collision, which had the largest velocity change, the larger mass glider or the smaller mass glider? What are the implications for automobile safety?

The smaller mass glider had the largest velocity change. This would imply that when a smaller car gets hit and is collided with a larger car, the smaller car would receive most of the damage. Due to its small size and mass, the larger car would be more protected from this damage than the smaller car. Also, the smaller car would be moved further from the point of collision with a greater velocity due to its smaller mass.

• Multiple Choice

Course : Physic (PSY 270)

University : molloy college, this is a preview.

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Why is this page out of focus?

Concept Overview:

1. Collisions in 1 Dimension

2. Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

3. Frictionless Motion

4. Turning Point

5. Conservation of Linear Momentum

6. Action-Reaction Forces

7. Conservation of Energy

8. Uniformly Accelerated Linear Motion

Lecturer Procedure - Turning Point

Lecturer Procedure - Collision Phenomena

Lecturer Procedure - Combined Masses that Move Apart

Lecturer Procedure - Uniform Acceleration

Equipment Notes:

Large Air Track (pictured below) - Poor condition; results are not great - refurbishment project is in progress, but outlook is not good

Small Air Track (pictured below) - Very useful, overall in good condition; most popular - selected most frequently of air tracks

Air Track Mini (pictured below) - Smaller than a bench top; too small for most collision-related demonstrations, but always available for use if desired.

• Elastic Collisions
• Inelastic Collisions
• Frictionless
• Turning Point
• Conservation of Energy
• Conservation of Momentum
• Acceleration
• Uniform Acceleration
• Action Reaction Forces
• Newton's 1st Law
• Newton's Second Law
• Newton's Third Law