CONSERVATIO

N OF
MOMENTUM
LAB
REPORT

GENERAL PHYSICS 11

KRITSANAWIT BOONKERD
PHUTTINAN CHANTAPRAM
SALIN SAE-UNG
YANIN GASEMSIN
1101
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INTRODUCTION
In this experiment, we focus on the
Conservation of momentum theory. The theory
states that the momentum of any closed system
which does not gain or lose mass and isolated
system which have no net force does not
change. This theory also relates to Newton’s
Third law state that says “For every action, there
is an equal and opposite reaction” because the
initial momentum which is action force will
equal to final momentum which is the reaction
force.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this experiment is to learn the
concept of conservation of momentum by using
2 Vernier carts on Vernier track which has low
friction. We will Simulate inelastic and elastic
collision. The inelastic collision is when two
objects are crashed and stick together along the
path. Elastic is when two objects are crashed
and move apart from each other. Moreover, the
objective is also to determine whether the
momentum is conserved for each type of
collision.
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MATERIALS

2 Vernier Standard Carts Vernier Track Timers

SET UP
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PROCEDURE
1. Put the car in the different
positions with the velcro
facing each other, so when
the first cart going, it will stick
with the second one.
2. Set the length we want to
measure
3. Measure the time when the
cart(s) reach the distance
4. Put the carts in opposite
side without the velcro so
when it hit, the second one
will go forward and another
will stop
5. Measure the time when the
cart(s) reach the distance
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RESULTS
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ANALYSIS
The first cart weighted 514.7 g., and the second cart weighted 508.67 g.
For the elastic collision, before the collision, the first cart took 1.12s with a
distance of 24 cm. before hitting the second cart. After colliding, the second cart
used 1.28s to reach another 13 cm. Therefore, the velocity of the elastic collision
was 21.4 m/s before, and 15.625 m/s after. After calculating, the percentage
change of the momentum was about 4.86%. For the inelastic collision which the
carts move together as one body after the collision, before the collision, the first
cart took 1.25s to reach the distance and after the collision, the carts used 1.33s
to reach the distance. So, the velocity before colliding was 19.2 m/s, and after
colliding, the velocity was 9.77 m/s.

According to the result, the cart(s) slowed down after colliding with the
first cart as they also used more time to reach the distance assigned. However,
according to the calculation, the momentum changed very little for both inelastic
and elastic collision. According to the law of momentum conservation, if systems
are closed and isolated, the momentums do not change. In this case, there is no
external force and the systems did not gain or lose mass, and the momentum
changes very little almost did not change at all which may be caused by the
parallax in measuring the time.

CONCLU SION
In conclusion, in both elastic collision and inelastic
collision, the momentum is conserved as it changed only a
little which is caused by our parallax, and the systems are
closed and isolated.
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RECOMMENDATION
From our experience of doing this experiment, we think
that one way to improve is the communication about the
appropriate way to do the experiment. Before starting
every experiment, all the reminders and conditions about
the experiment should be listed; for example, the
reminder that we have to measure the distance that the
cart traveled by the same edge of it.

REFERENCE
- From powerpoint in Edmodo (Section2: Conservation of Momentum)
- Lab sheet
- https://www.quora.com/How-would-you-explain-the-law-of-
conservation-of-momentum
- https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/momentum/Lesson-
2/Momentum-Conservation-Principle
- https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-physics-1/ap-linear-
momentum/conservation-of-momentum-and-elastic-collisions-
ap/a/what-is-conservation-of-momentum
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WORKLOG
Monday 12/11/18
- Experiment day

Saturday 17/11/18
- Phuttinan: finished introduction, objective and reference,
sent a file to Namtip and worked on work log and
reference.
- Kritsanawit: continue to work on material, set up and
procedure.
- Yanin: in charge of analysis, conclusion and prepare to
merge all files together, create lab report’s cover.
- Salin: summarized the result, organized the information
into table form and - the recommendation.

Sunday 18/11/18
-Phuttinan: gathered all source of information from
Namtip. Finished a work log and reference and sent to
Namtip.
- Kritsanawit: continued and finished on the material, set
up and procedure and sent a file to Namtip.
- Yanin: continued and finished merging all parts of the lab
report.
- Salin: continued and finished the result and sent a file to
Namtip.