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Introduction to Elastic and Inelastic Collisions Lab

Welcome to the Elastic and Inelastic Collisions Laboratory! In this experiment, we will investigate the principles of linear momentum conservation by studying elastic and inelastic collisions using PASCO Smart Carts.

Momentum is a fundamental concept in physics, given by:

p = mv

where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity. During collisions, momentum is conserved in all cases, but kinetic energy is only conserved in elastic collisions. We will compare momentum and energy conservation in different collision types:

  • Elastic Collisions: Both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
  • Inelastic Collisions: Momentum is conserved, but some kinetic energy is lost.
  • Perfectly Inelastic Collisions: The objects stick together after impact.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this lab, you will be able to:

  • Understand the principles of momentum conservation in collisions.
  • Differentiate between elastic, inelastic, and perfectly inelastic collisions.
  • Measure and analyze velocity, force, and impulse during collisions.
  • Calculate kinetic energy before and after collisions to determine energy loss.

Overview of the Experiments

This lab consists of two main experiments:

Experiment 1: Elastic Collisions

  • Use rubber and magnet bumpers to analyze elastic collisions.
  • Measure initial and final velocities using Smart Carts.
  • Verify momentum and kinetic energy conservation.

Experiment 2: Inelastic Collisions

  • Use Velcro tabs to create inelastic collisions.
  • Measure velocity before and after impact to analyze energy loss.
  • Compare results with elastic collision data.

Equipment You Will Be Using

  • Two PASCO Smart Carts – Measure velocity and force during collisions.
  • Track with Leveling Tools – Ensures accurate measurements.
  • Rubber, Magnet, and Velcro Bumpers – Creates different types of collisions.
  • Capstone Software – Collects and analyzes data.
  • Weighing Scale – Measures the mass of each cart.

Pictures of Setup

Figure 1: PASCO Smart Carts, magnet bumpers, and rubber bumpers needed for experiment. Velcro is built on to other side of Smart Carts.
Figure 2: After putting on track end stops and leveling it, the carts will be placed on the track. For each attachment, one cart will be stationary while the other is pushed into it (left), and then both will be pushed into each other (right) to create collision data.
Figure 3: Each of the attachments on the carts for the different collision scenarios: rubber (left), magnet (middle), velcro (right).