S

O B J E C T I V E

1. To understand the basic concept of Conservation of momentum.

2. To understand two basic type of momentum: Elastic and Inelastic
3. Be able to determined whether momentum is conserved or not in each type of collision.
4. Be able to calculate the momentum conservation formula.
5. Be able to define an error of this experiment. centimeters.

N
I N T R O D U C T I O

Whenever the objects collide each other, what can be explain the collision between two of
them.The answer is Momentum Conservation principle. The Conservation of Momentum stated
that when the collision among the objects occurs, the sum of momentum before collision must
be equivalent to momentum after the collision which can be written in the formula which is Ma
*Va = -Mb *Vb. This can be explained that the quantity of momentum is conserved but
opposite in direction. This principle can be applied in both type of momentum; Elastic and In
elastic momentum. Elastic collision is when the object is collide, there is no loss in kinetic
energy(Kinetic energy conserved). For Inelastic collision, there is loss in kinetic energy but
changed into different types of energy. However, the quantity of momentum in both type of
collision cannot change as long as there is no external force act on the system.
 S
M A T E R I A L

Low friction Vernier Track 2 Vernier Cart

Mass Scale Stop Watch

 E
P R O C E D U R E

A. Inelastic Collision

1. Place 2 Vernier cart on the low friction Vernier Track, each of them should be 20
centimeters apart. Also, the first cart should have the positive magnetic charge faced to the
second cart. The second cart should have the negative magnetic charge faced to the first
cart.
2. Line the first cart, so that its head is at the beginning of the first 20 centimeters.
3. Line the second cart at the end of the first 20 centimeters measured. ( 40 centimeters
measured total)
4. Release the cart while having 2 timers ready. The first timer, timing for the first cart to reach
the second cart that is 20 centimeters away. The second timer starts when the first cart
contacts the second and getting dragged along with the second cart.
5. When the second cart travels 20 centimeters, timers should stop timing and report the time

B. Elastic Collision

1. Place 2 Vernier cart on the low friction Vernier Track, each of them should be 20
centimeters apart. Make sure each cart to have the same charged side (-,- or +,+) faced
together so that they wont stick to each other when collision occurs.
2. Line the first cart, so that its head is at the beginning of the first 20 centimeters.
3. Line the second cart at the end of the first 20 centimeters measured. ( 40 centimeters
measured total)
4. Release the cart while having 2 timers ready. The first timer, timing for the first cart to reach
the second cart that is 20 centimeters away. The second timer starts when the first cart
contacts the second and push the second cart along the way.
5. When the second cart travels 20 centimeters, timers should stop timing and report the time
recorded.
 S E T U P

INELASTIC

Before Collision
M1 = 507.62 g
M2 = 513.36 g V0 = 0 cm/s

V0 = 26 cm/s

20 cm

After Collision
M2 M1

Vf = 13.9 cm/s

20 cm

ELASTIC

Before Collision
M1 = 507.62 g
M2 = 513.36 g V0 = 0 m/s

V0 = 30.3 cm/s

20 cm

After Collision
M2 M1
Vf = 27.8 cm/s

20 cm
 A
D A T

Inelastic Collision

Mass1 507.62 g
Mass2 513.36 g
Time1 measured 0.77 s
Time2 measured 1.44 s
Initial Velocity 1 0 m/s
Initial Velocity 2 0.26 m/s
Final Velocity 1 = Final Velocity 2 0.14 m/s
% difference 6.85%

Calculation

1. Finding velocity

Initially velocity Final Velocity

S 0.20 S 0.20
Initial Velocity V2i = = = 0.26 Velocity V1&2f = = = 0.14
T 0.77 T 1.48

2. Find % Difference

2 x ( Momentum before collision - Momentum after collision )

% Difference = x 100
Momentum before collision + Momentum after collision

Momentum before collision = M1 V10 + M2 V20

Momentum after collision = ( M1 + M2 ) Vf
 2 x ( M1V10 + M2V20 - (M1 + M2)Vf )
% Difference = x 100
M1V10 + M2V20 + (M1 + M2)Vf

2 x ( M1V10 + M2V20 - (M1 + M2)Vf )

% Difference = x 100
M1V10 + M2V20 + (M1 + M2)Vf

2 x ( 513.36 x 0.26 - (507.62 + 513.36)0.14 )

% Difference = x 100
513.36 x 0.26 + (507.62 + 513.36)0.14

2 x ( 133.47 - 142.94 )
% Difference = x 100
133.47 + 142.93

% Difference = 6.85 %
Elastic Collision

Mass1 507.62 g
Mass2 513.36 g
Time1 measured 0.66 s
Time2 measured 0.72 s
Initial Velocity 1 0 m/s
Initial Velocity 2 0.30 m/s
Final Velocity 1 0.28 m/s
Final Velocity 2 0 m/s
% difference 8.02%

Calculation

1. Finding velocity

Initially velocity Final Velocity

S 0.20 S 0.20
Initial Velocity V2i = = = 0.30 Velocity V1f = = = 0.28
T 0.66 T 0.72

2. Find % Difference

2 x ( Momentum before collision - Momentum after collision )

% Difference = x 100
Momentum before collision + Momentum after collision

Momentum before collision = M1 V10 + M2 V20

Momentum after collision = M1 V1f + M2 V2f
 2 x ( M1V10 + M2V20 - M1 V1f + M2V2f )
% Difference = x 100
M1V10 + M2V20 + M1 V1f + M2V2f

2 x ( M1V10 + M2V20 - M1 V1f + M2V2f )

% Difference = x 100
M1V10 + M2V20 + M1 V1f + M2V2f

2 x ( 513.36 x 0.30 - 507.62 x 0.28 )

% Difference = x 100
513.36 x 0.30 + 507.62 x 0.28

2 x ( 154.01 - 142.13 )
% Difference = x 100
154.01 + 142.13

% Difference = 8.02 %
 S
A N A L Y S I

Analysis of Result and Conclusion

Inelastic Collision Analysis

According to the data recorded, there was a 6.85% difference before the
collision and after. This is because there are external forces during the experiment and
human errors as well. These factors that contribute in the loss of momentums are friction,
air resistance and timing. The results displays a low percentage of difference. Therefore,
we can conclude that momentum is mostly conserved.

Elastic Collision Analysis

According to the data recorded, there was a 8.02% difference before and after
the collision. The reason that there is a percentage difference is because of external forces,
and human errors. They are the same factors as mentioned in the inelastic collision
analysis. The result of the difference is quite high. Therefore, some of the momentum
during this experiment is conserved.
 S
R E F E R E N C E

Conservation Laws. (n.d.). Retrieved December 03, 2016, from http://hyperphysics.phy-

astr.gsu.edu/hbase/conser.html

Conservation of Momentum. (n.d.). Retrieved December 03, 2016, from https://

www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/conmo.html

Elastic and Inelastic Collisions. (n.d.). Retrieved December 03, 2016, from http://
hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/elacol.html