7.

DISCUSSION:

7.1 Assume that the velocity after impact 4 is unknown. By using conservation of
linear momentum, determine that velocity. Compare your theoretical value
with the experimental value. If there is difference, explain the reason.
Ans
The conservation of momentum states that when there is no net external force
acting on a system of particles, the total momentum of the system is conserved. The
body maintained its constant value. Thus, the momentum of a moving body retains its
momentum constant without any external force.
When the mass is added on the m 1 wing, the velocity after impact is less. In

mass
, velocity=
the formula time . As the mass increases, the velocity also increases.

The velocity after impact remain the same due to the inelastic collision. After the
inelastic collision, the both m1 glider and m2 glider will move together.
The difference between theoretical value and experimental value due to the
frictional force between the air track and the glider. There is also environmental effect
such as the wind condition. When placing the glider, the parallax error may occur.

Inelastic impact 4:
In theoretical value, the formula of inelastic collision:
Formula: m1u1 + m2 u2 = (m1 +m2) v
m 1u 1+m 2u 2
v=
m1+m 2

( 0.3105 )( 0.6098 ) +(0.1994)(0)

v=
0.3105+ 0.1994

v = 0.3713 ms-1

In experimental value, the velocity of the m1 and m2 is the same that is 0.3425 ms-1.
v1 = v2 = 0.3425 ms-1

In inelastic impact 4, the difference between theoretical value and

experimental value is 0.0288ms-1. The percentage error is 8.41%.

Inelastic impact 3:
In theoretical value, the formula of inelastic collision:
Formula: m1u1 + m2 u2 = (m1 +m2) v
 m 1u 1+m 2u 2
v=
m1+m 2

( 0.2105 )( 0.8130 ) +(0.1994)(0)

v=
0.2105+ 0.1994

v = 0.4175 ms-1

In experimental value, the velocity of the m1 and m2 is the same that is 0.3425 ms-1.
v1 = v2 = 0.3425 ms-1

In inelastic impact 3, the difference between theoretical value and

experimental value is 0.075 ms-1. The percentage error is 21.90%.

7.2 For each part, is the total momentum before and after impacts remain the
same? Explain your findings.

Ans
For each part, there is no external impulse upon the system so the total
momentum before and after impacts is not the same in experimentally. In elastic
impact 1, the value of momentum before impact is 0.1725 kgms-1 and the values
of momentum after impact is 0.1632 kgms-1 . Furthermore, in elastic impact 2,
the value of momentum before impact is 0.189 kgms-1 and the values of
momentum after impact is 0.2055 kgms-1 .Besides, in inelastic impact 3, the
value of momentum before impact is 0.1711 kgms-1 and the values of
momentum after impact is 0.138 kgms-1 .In inelastic impact 4, the value of
momentum before impact is 0.189kgms-1 and the values of momentum after
impact is 0.1746 kgms-1 .

7.3 During the impact, some energy is lost. Why energy loss does occur? Explain
your findings.

Ans
When a collision occurs, the plug moves through each body at the speed of
sound in that material. If the collision is inelastic, then the springs are made to
vibrate faster, ie the material heats up. If in an inelastic collision, some KE is
lost and goes into heat, sound, and energy of deformation.

Their speed of separation as a different issue, dependent of the structure of the

bodies, which determines how much of the energy transfer is from
macroscopic kinetic into (additional) random energy of particles of the bodies.
This is classified as 'internal energy'. Over some considerable time following
the collision the extra internal energy will be lost as heat to the bodies'
surroundings.

So when two plug smash into each other and stick together, the resulting body
will move away at half the speed because the other half of the speed has now
been locked inside both of them as heat. However the energy has not been
destroyed, its still there its just not what we call Kinetic energy anymore, its
called heat energy, sound energy or due to localized deformation.