Momentum

LAB REPORT

Thannalin Patthanapan 6161018 1102

Pornnatcha Petchdee 6161092 1104

Thanaree Wipawasu 6161012 1102

Adhicha Chalermchuang 6161199 1102

Ms. Susana Allulod

 Introduction
In this experiment, we focused on the conservation
of momentum theory. Conservation of momentum isl law of
physics which states that the momentum of a system is
constant (not change) if there are no external forces
acting on the system. Momentum is equal to the mass of
an object multiplied by its velocity and is equivalent
to the force required to bring the object to a stop in
a unit length of time. For any array of several
objects, the total momentum is the sum of the
individual momenta. There is a peculiarity, however, in
that momentum is a vector, involving both the direction
and the magnitude of motion, so that the momenta of
objects going in opposite directions can cancel to
yield an overall sum of zero. Also, the Newton’s third
law states that for every action, there is an equal and
opposite direction.

Objective
In this lab, we are going to conduct an
experiment to demonstrate the law of Conservation of
Momentum by having two types of collision. One is
inelastic collision and the other one is inelastic
collision. Therefore, we will be recording data down
to calculate the velocity before the collision and
after the collision of the carts. Thereby, we will
be using two equations:

V=D/t and P=mV

After calculating the velocity, we will be

calculating the percentage difference for our data
analysis.
 Procedure
1. Prepare materials
2. Levelled the track before start
3. Mark your cart 1 and for cart 2 using tape
4. Measure the mass of the two carts
5. Find the velocity by recording the time
6. Find the percent differences
7. Repeats step 4-6 again for elastic collision
Setup

Cart 1 Cart 2

20 cm 20 cm
Data and result
Mass of car 1 = 510.11 g
Mass of car 2 = 513.7 g

Inelastic Collision

Trial 1 2 3 Average

Before 0.47 0.48 0.48 0.48

After 0.48 0.50 0.49 0.49

Elastic Collision

Trial 1 2 3 Average

Before 0.29 0.28 0.29 0.29

After 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.31

Inelastic Elastic Collision

Collision

Velocity 41.67 cm/s 68.97 cm/s

(before)

Velocity 40.82 cm/s 64.52 cm/s

(after)

% difference 1.36 % 5.98 %

Calculation
Inelastic Collision
Velocity
Formula: velocity = distance/ Formula: %diff = 2(momentum
time
Before : 20/0.48 = 41.67 m/s
After : 20/0.49 = 40.82 m/s
Elastic Collision
Velocity
Formula: velocity = distance/ Formula: %diff = 2(momentum
time
Before : 20/0.29 = 68.97 m/s
After : 20/0.31 = 64.52 m/s
% Difference
before collision - momentum
after collision) / momentum
before collision + momentum
after collision x 100
% difference = 2(510.11x41.67
- 513.70x40.82)/510.11x41.67
+ 513.70x40.82 x 100 = 1.36%
% Difference
before collision - momentum
after collision) / momentum
before collision + momentum
after collision x 100
% difference = 2(510.11x68.97
- 513.70x64.52)/510.11x68.97
+ 513.70x64.52 x 100 = 5.98%
Data and analysis
The experiment of Inelastic Collision for
the table 1 show the data of velocity before
and after is little difference.The average of
velocity before and after inelastic collision
is nearest value so this experiment is the
conservation of momentum because the
percentage of difference is 1.36%.

The experiment of Elastic Collision for the

table 2 show the value of before is nearest
and the value of after is constant. The
average velocity before and after is little
difference.When the computation percentage of
difference determine 5.98% can be result the
experiment is not conservation of momentum.
Conclusion
In the conclusion, in both elastic and
inelastic collision, the momentum is
conserved as the system is closed and
isolated.
Recommendation
We have performed the experiment for many
trials as our percentage difference was quite
off-scale. As a group, we have discussed what
could be the errors. Here are the possible
errors that could be:

1. We think that the time that we recorded

were not accurate enough
2. We also think that the carts that we were
using was somehow broken as one of the
past group member dropped the cart.
3. At first, when we were doing all the
calculation, we forgot to multiply the
velocity with the mass to calculate the
percentage difference.

Therefore, we think, for the next time, there

must be more than one time recorder, so the time
can be more accurate. Also, if it was hard to
record the time due to the short distance. We
think that increasing the distance to be about
40 cm might help. We need to check our
calculation for many times to make sure there
are no mistakes and we do not need to waste our
time. We need to be careful on every materials
that we are using, so that nothing is broken.
Worklog
DATE MEMBERS ROLES

Thannalin (Benz) Record time / take

picture

Pornnatcha Record time / push

(Neena) the cart

Adhicha (Chaim) Calculate

Thanaree (Ant) Record time

19 / 02 / 2020 Thannalin (Benz) Decorate cover

Pornnatcha Data and result /

(Neena) procedure

Thanaree (Ant) Objective /

recommendation
/conclusion/decorate

20 / 02 / 2020 Adhicha (Chaim) Setup / calculation

/ analysis and
result

22 / 02 / 2020 Thannalin (Benz) Introduction /

references/
materials/ decorate

1 / 03 / 2020 Pornnatcha Data and result /

(Neena) worklog
References
Momentum Conservation Principle. (n.d.). Retrieved
from
……...https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/momentum
/Lesson-2/Momentum-Conservation-Principle

Momentum. (n.d.). Retrieved from

………..https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/momentum
/u4l1a.cfm

The Law of Conservation of Momentum. (n.d.).

Retrieved from
……...https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-law-of-con
servation-of-momentum.html

Admin. (2019, September 6). Law of Conservation of

Momentum -Definition, Derivation, Examples,
Problems. Retrieved from
.....https://byjus.com/physics/derivation-of-law-of-
conservation-of-momentum/