Exploring Collisions

In this activity, you will use data from simulated collisions to understand how momentum is conserved during an interaction between objects.

Part One - Inelastic Collisions
In this experiment you will run several trials while collecting data.

  1. Go to the airTrack website (www.msu.edu/user/brechtjo/physics/airTrack/airTrack.html).
  2. Under the word scenario, set the simulation to Inelastic Collision ("m1 = m2 inelastic").
  3. Set the simulation to the values in the table below.
  4. Allow the blocks to collide and record the results in the data table given.
  5. Reset to collect new data.
    Block Data Before Collision
    Trial
    M1
    V1
    M2
    V2
    1
    1.2
    40
    1.2
    0
    2
    1.2
    40
    0.6
    0
    3
    1.2
    30
    1.2
    -30
    4
    1.2
    40
    1.2
    -80
Analysis Questions - answer these questions underneath your data table:
  1. How can you tell which way the blocks will go after the collision from the initial values?
  2. Is momentum conserved in every collision?
  3. Do both blocks undergo the same change in velocity? Why or why not?

back to Mrs. Graessle's Home Page