CONSERVATION

OF MOMENTUM
LAB REPORT
G E N E R A L P H Y S I C S

By

Arraya Tanyanurak 5961050

Jirateep Sitasathien 5961137
Supanut Sritong-in 5961070
Nataphorn Soontornworasate 5961205
Hoang Ngoc Le Minh 5961056
 Introduction

The term conservation is something which

doesnt change. The variable in an equation remains
constant over time. It will gain same amount of
momentum, different in directions. When collisions
occur in an absence of external force or in a closed
system that has no force other than force of
momentum, net momentum before will be equal to the
net momentum after collisions. In elastic collisions, the
total kinetic energy of two objects before and after
collisions remains the same. The object will rebound
without remaining any deformation or generation of
heat. In an inelastic collisions, the total kinetic energy
of two objects before and after are collisions are
different. The energy will result in deformation or in
forms of heat. The momentum principle state that
when two objects collide, resulting force and impulse
being the same. According to Newtons third law,
whenever the force is applied on a second object,
the second object exerts an equal and opposite force
on the first object.
 Objective

- To able to understand and distinguish between

inelastic and elastic collision.
- To demonstrate the Law of Conservation of
Momentum.
- Determine whether momentum is conserved for each
type of collision.

Material

1 low friction Vernier track 2 Vernier cart

Mass Scale Stopwatch

 Set up

low friction Vernier track

Vernier cart

Timer

Mass Scale
 Procedure
Elastic collision:
Weight 2 vernier carts on mass scale, record data.
Set up 2 carts on track with 2 side of magnetic facing
together.
Set one cart at the level of 100 cm, another cart is at
the end of another side of the track.
Slowly push the second cart toward the first, set the
timer when the second cart reach to the level of 120
cm.
Lab the timer at collision (at 100 cm), the after
collision, wait until the first cart reach 80 cm, stop the
watch.
Record timing data.
Calculate the velocity by divide the time taken by
20cm and the unit of result would be cm/s.
Inelastic collision:
Weight 2 vernier carts on mass scale, record data.
Set up 2 carts on track with 2 side of sticker facing
together (so that they will stick and moving together
in the experiment).
Set one cart at the level of 100 cm, another cart is at
the end of another side of the track.
Slowly push the second cart toward the first.
Lab the time at 120 cm, 100 cm (collision), and 80 cm
(both moving).
Record timing data.
Calculate the velocity by divide the time taken by
20cm and the unit of result would be cm/s.
Results
 Analysis of Results

In the elastic experiment, it shows that In after

the objects are collided the energy from the moving
object is transfer into rest object so, the rest object
moving.
Inelastic experiment , We have concluded that
when two objects are collided with each other, The
energy from the moving object is transfer into the
rest one which make it push away from each other.

Conclusion
The purpose of this activity was to demonstrate
the concepts of Conservation of Momentum through
the study of various collisions between two Vernier
carts. Therefore, there're still some human error
which makes the result is not very accurate.
 Recommendation

In the experiment, there is some struggle

between us and the procedure. To understand the
procedure is hard, but to follow up the procedure is
harder. While trying to made the 2 carts to be collide,
we having trouble while recording time because they
moving too fast and we did made some human errors.
Also with the calculating.
What we need to improve:
- Read the procedure again to caught the ideas
clearly.
- Let the car move slowly, it do not need to be real
fast.
- Could use the timer in your phone to lab, record the
time easier.
- Read the whole paper because % differences is at
the second page, and the % differences should not
more than 10% (if more than 10% do not worry, do it
again)
Work Log
 References

- Feynman, R. P.; Leighton, R. B.; and Sands, M. The

Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. 1. Redwood City,
CA: Addison-Wesley, pp. 10-1-10-9, 1989.

- Weisstein, E. (1996). Conservation of Momentum .

Retrieved 2007, from
http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/Conservati
onofMomentum.html

- Khan, S. (2015). What is conservation of momentum?

Retrieved from
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/line
ar-momentum/momentum-tutorial/a/what-is-
conservation-of-momentum

- Hall, N. (n.d.). Conservation of momentum. Retrieved

from https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-
12/airplane/conmo.html