CONSERVATION OF

MOMENTUM

Sazliman Ismail
Mahmud Ahmad
Tho Siew Wei
Norazlilah Md. Nordin
 INTRODUCTION
• Elastic and inelastic collisions are performed with two
dynamics carts of different masses. Magnetic bumpers are
used in the elastic collision and Velcro bumpers are used
in the completely inelastic collision. In both cases,
momentum is conserved. Cart velocities are recorded using
two Rotary Motion Sensors connected to the carts.
 INTRODUCTION
• This measurement method adds very little friction to the
experiment and, since the velocities are continuously
monitored, any deceleration due to friction can be
measured. The total kinetic energy before and after the
collision is studied. Another twist on the example of a
collision would be the idea of a reverse collision or an
explosion. If you video tape an explosion and play it
backwards, it looks like a collision. Likewise, if you
video tape a collision and play it backwards it resembles
an explosion.
 INTRODUCTION
• If we look at the case of a canon being fired, we find there
is a force of the gun powder exploding creating a force of
the canon pushing on the cannon ball and the cannon ball
pushing back on the gun. These two forces are equal in
size but opposite in direction. If any forces that are
external to the cannon-&-ball system (such as weight and
friction) are removed. Then momentum must be
conserved.
 THEORY
• The momentum of a cart depends on its mass and velocity.
Momentum = p = mv
• The direction of the momentum is the same as the
direction of the velocity.
• During a collision, the total momentum of the system of
both carts is conserved because the net force on the system
is zero.
• This means that the total momentum just before the
collision is equal to the total momentum just after the
collision.
• If the momentum of one cart decreases, the momentum of
the other cart increases by the same amount.
• The law of conservation of momentum is stated as
pTotalBeforeCollision = pTotalAfterCollision
 THEORY
• The Principle of conservation of momentum states
that “ The total momentum of a system is always
fixed if there is no external force acting on the
system” or
• “ In any collision or interaction between two or
more objects in an isolated system , the total
momentum of the system will remain constant ;
that is the total momentum before collision will be
equal to the total momentum after the collision”
 Types of collision

There are two types of collision , that is

(i) Inelastic collision
(ii) Elastic collision
 Inelastic collision
• In inelastic collision , after two objects moving with their respective velocities do collide,
they stick together and move with a common velocity.

• Based on The Principle Of Conservation Of Momentum,

The total momentum = The total momentum
before collision after collision

m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1 + m2 )v

 Elastic collision
• In elastic collision , after two objects moving with their respective velocities do collide,
those two objects will separate and move with different velocities.

• Based on The Principle Of Conservation Of Momentum,

The total momentum = The total momentum
before collision after collision
m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
 Explosion
• In explosion, two objects are initially at rest and after explosion those two objects will
separate and move in opposite directions.

• Based on The Principle Of Conservation Of Momentum,

• The total momentum = The total momentum
before explosion after explosion
m1(0) + m2 (0) = m1 (-v1) + m2 v2
Similarities between Inelastic Collision and
Elastic Collision

Similarities
Total momentum is conserved
Total energy is conserved
Total mass is conserved
Differences between Inelastic Collision and
Elastic Collision

Inelastic collision Elastic collision

Both objects stick together after Both objects don’t stick

collision and move with a together after collision and
common velocity move with different velocities

Total amount of kinetic energy Total amount of kinetic energy

is not conserved is conserved
 APPARATUS
• 2 Motion sensor, 2 carts (250g), 2.2 m track, and laptop
with DataStudio software.
 SETUP
• Level the track using the leveling screws on the track feet.
Make sure a cart at rest on the track, it should not move.
 SETUP
• Plug the motion sensor to the both edge of the track.
 SETUP
• Connect the two sensor to the computer and run
DataStudio on the computer.
 PROCEDURES
(Inelastic Collision)

Friction-compensated
Sensor

Cart 1
Cart 2
 PROCEDURES
• The plane is inclined to compensate for friction so that
the trolley will move down the plane with a constant
velocity when given a slight push.
• The same mass carts are used with the Velcro sides
toward each other so the carts will stick together. This is
a totally inelastic collision.
• Click on START on the computer and Cart 2 at rest,
Cart 1 has velocity toward Cart 2.
• Cart 1 and Cart 2 are moving toward each other with
about the same speed (stick together).
• Then, click on STOP.
• The velocity vs. time graph is using on the computer, the
velocity of cart 1 just before and after the collision is
found.
DATA TABULATION
 DATA ANALYSIS
• Inelastic Collision
Final velocity according to formula;
m1u1 + m2 u 2 = ( m1 + m2 ) v
(0.25)(0)+(0.25)(0.156) = (0.25+0.25)v
0.50v = 0.0390
v = 0.078 m/s

Final velocity from the graph 1 (experiment);

v = 0.080 m/s
 PROCEDURES
(Elastic Collision)
Sensor Sensor

Cart 1 Cart 2

P1 P2 = 0

Sensor Sensor

Cart 1 Cart 2

P1 P2
 PROCEDURES
• Two motion sensors are fixed at the both end.
• The same mass carts are used with one cart moving and
one cart static (but no Velcro sides) toward each other so
the carts will bounce off each other and the collision will
be elastic.
• Click on START on the computer and Cart 2 at rest,
Cart 1 has velocity toward Cart 2.
• Cart 1 and Cart 2 are moving toward each other with
different velocity.
• Then, click on STOP.
• The velocity vs. time graph is using on the computer, the
velocity of Cart 1 and Cart 2 just before and after the
collision is found.
DATA TABULATION
 DATA ANALYSIS
• Elastic Collision
Final velocity (second cart) according to formula;
m1u1 + m2 u 2 = m1v1 + m2 v 2
(0.25)(0)+(0.25)(0.58) = (0.25)(0.46) + (0.25)v2
0.115 + 0.25v2 = 0.145
v2 = 0.120 m/s

Final velocity from the graph 2 (experiment);

v = 0.100 m/s
DATA TABULATION
 DATA ANALYSIS
• Elastic Collision (two moving carts)
Final velocity (second cart) according to formula;
m1u1 + m2 u 2 = m1v1 + m2 v 2
(0.25)(0.20)+(0.25)(0.70) = (0.25)(0.58) + (0.25)v2
0.145 + 0.25v2 = 0.225
v2 = 0.32 m/s

Final velocity from the graph 3 (experiment);

v = 0.28 m/s
 PROCEDURES
(Explosion)

Plunger

Sensor Sensor
Cart 1 Cart 2
 PROCEDURES
• The plunger on one cart is depressed. The two carts are
placed on the track so that they are in contact with each
other.
• Click on START on the computer and tap the trigger
release to launch the carts.
• Click on STOP.
• The velocity vs. time graph is using on the computer.
Also, it might be helpful to expand the graph, to see just
that area you are interested in.
• The momentum of each cart after the explosion is
calculated.
DATA TABULATION
 DATA ANALYSIS
• Explosion
Final velocity (second cart) according to formula;
0 = m1v1 + m2 v 2
0 = (0.25)(0.30) + (0.25)(-v2)
0.25v2 = 0.075
v2 = 0.30 m/s

Final velocity from the graph 4 (experiment);

v = 0.30 m/s
 DISCUSSION
• The result for all the experiments show that there only a
small error occurs when compared the value of experiment
and from formula. For the first experiment the error just
2.56 %, second is 16.67 % and the third experiment is
12.50 %. The last experiment shows there is no different
value for final velocity between experiment and formula.
We all had concluded that the different may be caused by
the plane is not totally compensated. There is still a
friction between carts and plane.
 RECOMMENDATION
• These experiments had an element of fun and involved real
scientific thinking. The probeware are easier to use
because it is user-friendly.
• We found their concepts of mechanics and motion were
dramatically changed through activities incorporating
probeware.
• It was absolutely a completely new (and better) way to
teach and learn Physics because it took a shorter time and
the minimum error compared to the conventional
apparatus.
 RECOMMENDATION
• The students could do experiments at first, collect real-
time data using probeware, then offer explanations.
• Basically, the students can construct their own knowledge
in a structured, safe environment, with teachers act as a
guide and facilitator.
• We think the technology we've used in this experiment can
inspired the students to seek professional qualifications
such as engineering (mechanical, electrical and
automotive).
• The students will be exposed to a wide range of skills and
equipment associated with the use of probeware.
 PRECAUTION
• All connections must be tight and secure.
• The trolleys must be in line of the lane.
• A friction- compensated runway is a runway which
allows the trolley to move with uniform velocity. To
make sure that the friction of the runway is
compensated, modified the level of runway to make sure
trolley moving with uniform velocity.
• Take a several readings of to get accurate results.