1.
Lab 15:
a.
Lab conducted by Mohammed Karim (author) and
Lynel.
2.
Objective – Collide two balls and check to see
if momentum and energy are conserved.
3.
Theory/Introduction – After learning the concept
of momentum and the idea that it is conserved in all cases, we are tasked with putting
that to the test. This involves two different collisions, one with a steel ball
and aluminum ball and one with two steel ball, and ensuring that momentum and
energy are conserved.
4.
Apparatus/Procedure –
Figure 15.1
The apparatus (shown
in figure 15.1) is the only apparatus used for this lab. On the top, is an area
to place a phone to record the collision on the glass table and track the
points on LoggerPro. After tracking position, we are given coordinates for
position, velocity, time, and much more. With these specific variables, we
calculated momentum and energy. (See Figures 15.2 and 15.3)
5.
Data Tables
6.
Conclusion – After finishing this lab, we can
conclude that both momentum and energy were conserved (for the most part). The relatively stable velocity showed that they remained constant. Of
course, conditions were less than ideal, so there was a slight loss in energy
and momentum. This is due to energy lost in forms of heat, such as friction.
Friction slows down the ball, thus slowing the velocity thus reducing the
kinetic energy of the system (which directly relies on velocity). Another variable that could have affected our
results would be the force at which the ball was thrown. Of course, the
collision would be expected to be elastic. However, if the ball were to hit too
hard, it could bump and skew data. We tried to prevent this by throwing it.
However, there may have been a slight jump that could have lost energy and
momentum from the system.
