Objective:

To demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Momentum by

using the Vernier cart.

Introduction:
The Law of Conservation of Momentum stated that In the
absence of external force, the momentum of a system remains
unchanged. Hence, the momentum before an event involving only
internal force is equal to the momentum after the event. Collisions
occur when two or more objects collide, and can be either elastic, or
inelastic. Elastic collision is when the two objects collide and
bounce away from each other. Inelastic collision is when the two
objects collide and stick together. Then, the objects mover alone
together with one final velocity.

Background:

Impulse = Change in Momentum

Impulse is the force time change (directly proportional) the
momentum of an object. Momentum is depends on the variables
mass and velocity.


Materials

Stop watch

2 Vernier carts

Mass Scale

1 Low friction
Vernier Tracker


Procedure
A: Inelastic Collision
1. Measure the mass of vernier carts on the mass scale.
2. Put two vernier carts on the low friction vernier track with the
inelastic collision.
3. Measure the position of the carts, one on the scale of 40 centimetre
and another on 60 centimetre.
4. Push the cart that is on 40 centimetre to hit another one.
5. Start measure the time when the cart is moving, and stop at the time
they touch each other, which will be the origin velocity. Then we measure
the time when they stick together till the cart pass the scale of 80 cm,
which is the final velocity.
6.Calculate the result by the number we got.

B. Elastic Collision
1. Measure the mass of vernier carts on the mass scale.
2. Put two vernier carts on the low friction vernier track with elastic
collision, which means these two carts will not stick together, but will
push each other.
3.Repeat step A-3 and A-4.
4.Measure the time when we push the cart, and stop when the cart pass
through the scale of 60, which is the origin velocity. But start another
measurement when the cart pass trough 60cm, and stop measure when
another cart pass the scale of 80 cm, that is the final velocity.
5.Calculate the result.
Data and Results

Inelastic Collision

M 513.9 g.
1

M 507.3 g.
2

V 10 0

V 33.89 cm/s
20
V 18.3 cm/s
f

V 1f -

V -
2f
P 17192.397
before

Pafter 18687.96

% Different 8.34%

Elastic Collision

M 513.9 g.

M 507.3 g.

V 0
10

V 32.8 cm/s
20

V -
f
V 29.2 cm/s
1f

V 0
2f

P 16639.44
before

Pafter 15005.88

% Different 10.32%
Formula:
M1 = Mass of vernier cart one
M2 = Mass of vernier cart two
V10 = Velocity of vernier cart One
initial
V20 = Velocity of vernier cart two
initial
Vf = Final Velocity
V1f = Final Velocity of vernier cart one
V2f = Final Velocity of vernier cart two

% difference = 2 (Momentum before collision - Momentum after collision)

Momentum before collision + Momentum after collision

-Inelastic Collision: Momentum before collision = M1V10 + M2V20

Momentum after collision = ( M1 + M 2 )Vf

-Elastic Collision: Momentum before collision = M1V10 + M2V20

Momentum after collision = M1V1f + M2V2f
 Computation:
M1 and M 2 - use the mass scale to mass the vernier cart number one and two.
V20 - the distance travelled of the vernier cart number two before collision = 20 cm

Inelastic Collision
Momentum before - M 1V10 + M2V20
(513.9 x 0) + (507.3 x 33.89) = 17192.397

Momentum after - ( M1 + M2 )Vf

(513.9 + 507.3) x 18.3 = 18687.96

% difference = 2 (17192.397 - 18687.96) = 8.34%

17192.397 + 18687.96

Final velocity - 20/ x = 18.3

20/ 18.3 = x
x = 1.09

Elastic Collision
Momentum before - M1V10 + M2V20
(513.9 x 0) + (507.3 x 32.8) = 16639.44

Momentum after - M1V1f + M2V2f

(513.9 x 29.2) + (507.3 x 0) = 15005.88

% difference = 2 (16639.44 - 15005.88) = 10.32%

16639.44 + 15005.88
Analysis of Results
The results of this experiment shows that momentum was
conserved in inelastic collisions. According to the data, the
result for inelastic collision appears to be 8.34%, which is less
than 10%. The time we measured in the experiment seems to be
accurate and coherent to one another. However, for elastic
collision the result appears to be 10.32%, this may be the
mistake from human errors or external forces which makes the
momentum to decrease, also friction, difference mass between
the two carts or air resistance are also one of the factors that
causes momentum to decrease.

Before After