Fernandez 1 Jacquelyn Fernandez Physics 131 703 Lab Report Conservation of Momentum in Two Dimensions* Purpose To investigate the

e properties of two-dimensional collisions using the law of conservation of momentum as well as calculate the momentum for the steel ball after collision. Procedure For this lab experiment, a ramp with an adjustable ball holder was set up on the side of the lab table. The ramp was clamped in place so that the adjustable ball holder was hanging off the edge of the lab table. White computer paper with carbon paper (target paper) was taped to the floor right below the edge of the table where the ramp/adjustable ball holder is clamped (where the marbles were expected to land) to mark where the ball lands. A plumb bob was dropped from the end of the ramp touching the paper about an inch from the edge of the paper. The point where the plumb bob touched the paper was labeled 1. To measure the initial speed, we first weighed both steel balls and recorded the measurement in the data table. We then let one steel ball roll off the ramp three times, rolling the steel ball at the same height each time. We then picked the middle landing point among the three as the average for the landing spots and marked that spot with 2. We drew a line from point 2 to point 1 to represent the direction of the moving balls momentum/velocity as well as represent the x-axis. We measured the length of the line and recorded it in the data table. To determine the steel balls horizontal speed, we measured the distance from the edge of the ramp to the floor. Using the measurements, we used the formula for time (t= 2d/g) to find the time it took for the steel ball to reach to floor after its fall. From the measured distance and calculation to find time, we calculated its horizontal speed using the formula for velocity (V = d/t). The calculated velocity was used in the formula for momentum (m v) to find the steel balls horizontal momentum. We adjusted the ball holder to an angle of 20 as well as the height so that it is vertically even. Using the plumb bob, we marked where the plumb bob touches the paper as S1. We placed the other steel ball on the ball holder (stationary ball) and let the other ball (moving ball) roll off the ramp, colliding with the stationary ball for a total of 3 trials. We took the middle landing mark of the three trials for each of the steel balls as the average location and labeled it as S2 for the stationary ball and M2 for the moving ball. A line was drawn between S1 S2 and between point 1 M2 to give the horizontal distance after collision. The lines between S1 S2 and between point 1 M2 were measured. Using the distance measurements and the time calculated from part 1, we calculated the horizontal speeds and momentums of the moving ball and stationary ball. Similarly, we adjusted the ball holder at glancing angle and marked where the plumb bob touched the floor as S3. We placed the stationary ball on the ball holder and let the moving ball roll off the ramp colliding with the stationary ball for a total of 3 trials. Using the middle, most

average landing points of the three trials for each steel ball (labeled as S4 and M4), a line was drawn from S3 S4 and point 1 M4 to give the horizontal distance after collision. Both lines were measured and used to calculate the speed and momentum. Data and calculations Table 1. No Collision Data

No Collision Mass of ball Horizontal Distance Traveled of Moving Ball Vertical Distance of Fall Time to Fall Horizontal Speed of Moving Ball Horizontal Momentum of Ball

67 g 37.2 cm 78.8 cm 0.401 s 92.768 cm/s 6215.456 g cm/ s

Table 2. Collision with Identical Ball at 20 degrees Data

Collision with Identical Ball at 20 Distance from S1 S2 21.8 cm Distance from point 1 M2 31.8 cm Horizontal Speed of Moving Ball after 79.301 cm/s collision (Vm) Horizontal Speed of Stationary Ball 54.364 cm/s after collision (Vs) Momentum of Stationary Ball after 3642.388 g cm/ collision (Ps) s Momentum of Moving Ball after 5075.328 g cm/ collision (Pm) s
Table 3. Collision with Identical Ball at a Glancing Angle Data

Collision with Identical Ball at a Glancing Distance from S3 S4 Distance from point 1 M4 Horizontal speed of Moving Ball after collision (Vm) Horizontal Speed of Stationary Ball after collision (Vs) Momentum of Stationary Ball after collision (Ps) Momentum of Moving Ball after

Angle Data 25.4 cm 27.5 cm 68.579 cm/s 63.342

cm

/s

4243.914 g cm/ s 4594.793 g

Fernandez 3

collision (Pm)

cm

/s

Formulas for Calculations: Time Horizontal Speed (Velocity) Horizontal Momentum X component Y component *See Calculations on next page Analysis and Conclusion In this experiment we determined whether or not momentum was conserved in the two collisions. We learned how to determine the momentum of an object using the formula for momentum as well as the X and Y components of the momentums for the two steel balls after collision. T= 2d/g V = d/t MV xcos ysin