General Physics Laboratory

Fall 18-19

Experiment 4 – Conservation of Linear Momentum

STUDENT INFORMATION GRADE

Session
Student No Name and Surname Dept. Signature
No
1
EXP 4 Conservation of Linear Momentum 62160022

1. Objective
The main aim of the experiment was summarized in the investigation of the conservation of linear
momentum phenomenon.

2. Background
The experiment in general was talking about the momentum. Momentum in physics is a vectorial
quantity which holds the sign 𝑃⃑ and it can be described as the multiplication of the mass by the
velocity of the target object

𝑃⃑ = 𝑚 ∗ 𝑣 (1)

Since the velocity is a vectorial quantity as well as the momentum means that both could be described
using X-component and Y-component as follows

𝑃𝑥 = 𝑚 ∗ 𝑣𝑥 (2)
𝑃𝑦 = 𝑚 ∗ 𝑣𝑦 (3)

Using Equations 2&3 newton's second law might be described with respect to momentum since the
momentum was calculated with respect to velocity and the velocity is equals ZERO for the resting
objects leads to a ZERO momentum at rest so, Newton's second law holds[1]. By using the
substitution, the relation might be matched as follows
𝑑𝑣 𝑑
∑𝐹 = 𝑚 ∗ 𝑎 = 𝑚 = (𝑚𝑣) (4)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑃⃑
∑𝐹 = (5)
𝑑𝑡
The relation which was mentioned in Equation 5 was exactly the explanation of momentum
conservation regarding the ZERO net force affection the momentum will have the constant value with
respect to time. The momentum might be investigated under two collision types known as: Elastic and
Inelastic collisions[1]. The equation of both Elastic and Inelastic collisions could be described as
follows respectively
𝑚1 𝑣1(𝑖) + 𝑚2 𝑣2(𝑖) = 𝑚1 𝑣1(𝑓) + 𝑚2 𝑣2(𝑓) (6)

𝑚1 𝑣1(𝑖) + 𝑚2 𝑣2(𝑖) = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )𝑣𝑓 (7)

Taking into consideration that the kinetic energy in the elastic collision is conserved as follows
𝐾𝐸 (𝐵𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒) = 𝐾𝐸(𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟) (8)
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
𝑚1 𝑣1(𝑖) + 𝑚2 𝑣2(𝑖) = 𝑚1 𝑣1(𝑓) + 𝑚2 𝑣2(𝑓) (9)
2 2 2 2

pg. 2
EXP 4 Conservation of Linear Momentum 62160022

3. Experimental Procedure & Results

3.1 Procedure

• The air table was levelled by adjusting the legs.

• The spark timer frequency was set in 20Hz.
• Both spark timer and compressor pedals were pressed as
well as the quite pushing process of the pucks in order to get
a collision.
• The middle point of the air table was considered as the
crashing point.
• The white paper was released, and the dots were marked as Figure 1: The motion of the two
shown (See Fig1). pucks before and after the collision

3.2 Results
The time in the experiment was calculated based on the spark timer setting and the number of dots
which were chosen
1
t= = 0.05s ∗ 5(points) = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝐬
20Hz
The step which was done after the releasing of the white paper was the marking of the dots and the
distances were measured in order to perform the calculations
x1(i) = 8.7cm = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖𝟕𝐦 x2(i) = 9.0cm = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟗𝟎𝐦

x1(𝑓) = 8.4cm = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟗𝟒𝐦 x2(𝑓) = 7.1cm = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟏𝐦

0.087𝑚
𝑣1(i) = = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟒𝟖𝐦/𝐬
0.25𝑠
0.090𝑚
𝑣2(i) = = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟔𝟎𝐦/𝐬
0.25𝑠
0.094𝑚
𝑣1(𝑓) = = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟕𝟔𝐦/𝐬
0.25𝑠
0.071𝑚
𝑣2(𝑓) = = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟖𝟒𝐦/𝐬
0.25𝑠

|𝑣1(i) + 𝑣2(i) | = √(0.348)2 + (0.360)2 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎𝟏𝐦/𝐬

|𝑣1(𝑓) + 𝑣2(𝑓) | = √(0.376)2 + (0.284)2 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟕𝟏𝐦/𝐬

Table 1: Conservation of linear momentum

𝑣1(i) (m/s) 𝟎. 𝟑𝟒𝟖

𝑣2(i) (m/s) 𝟎. 𝟑𝟔𝟎
|𝑣1(i) + 𝑣2(i) | 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎𝟏𝐦/𝐬
|𝑣1(𝑓) + 𝑣2(𝑓) | 𝟎. 𝟒𝟕𝟏𝐦/𝐬

pg. 3
EXP 4 Conservation of Linear Momentum 62160022

4. Conclusion & Discussion

The experiment was summarized in the investigation of conservation of momentum for two pucks
moving on frictionless horizontal air table taking into consideration the assumption that there was no
external for affection. Referring to Fig1 the main aim of the experiment was to calculate and observe
the same magnitude results of two defined vectors before and after the collision respectively
|𝑣1(i) + 𝑣2(i) | , |𝑣1(𝑓) + 𝑣2(𝑓) |. Since both magnitude results were depended on the initial velocity
components which were expected to have the same values 𝟎. 𝟑𝟒𝟖 ≈ 𝟎. 𝟑𝟔𝟎 with a slight numerical
difference. The difference in the final magnitude results were affected as shown in Table1. The values
of the magnitude results were calculated initially and finally respectively as
𝟎. 𝟓𝟎𝟏𝐦/𝐬 ≈ 𝟎. 𝟒𝟕𝟏𝐦/𝐬 ≈ 𝟎. 𝟓 𝒎/𝒔
Generally, if the slight numerical difference was ignored and the velocity was considered as 0.5 m/s
before and after the collision and the masses of two pucks were given equally as 0.56 Kg the
momentum might considered as a conserved momentum with the value P = 0.28 Kg.m/s referring to
Equ1. Moreover, the slight numerical differences which were observed in the calculation part might
came from the sources of errors. The sources of errors in the experiment might came from the applied
force which was done on the puck by the group member and which could be against the assumed
assumption if the group member was applied the force harshly. The friction was ignored since the
compressor pedal was tested before the performing of the experiment but, still it could affect the
accuracy of the results. The distances measurements which was done on the white paper by the group
member could appear an inaccurate result.
As a conclusion the main aim of the experiment was performed by the investigation of the puck's
movement as well as the calculations which were done in order to observe the conserved momentum
value. Although the results were had a slight numerical errors or difference but, the main aim of the
experiment was achieved, and the conservation of the momentum was proved. Moreover, the expected
errors sources were mentioned as well.

5. Report Questions
5.1 Is the linear momentum is conserved in the collision if no external force acts on the system?
Discuss the conservation of the linear momentum by using the data values.
Since the velocity before and after the collision was calculated in Table1 holding the same result with
slight numerical difference as
𝟎. 𝟓𝟎𝟏𝐦/𝐬 ≈ 𝟎. 𝟒𝟕𝟏𝐦/𝐬 ≈ 𝟎. 𝟓 𝒎/𝒔
And the experiment had two pucks with equal masses. So, the momentum before the collision will
hold the same value after the collision as P = 0.28 Kg.m/s.

6. References
[1] Resnick, Robert and Halliday, David (1966), Physics, Section 4-5, Page 220.

pg. 4