Elastic and Inelastic Collisions Lab

Question:
How can we demonstrate that momentum is conserved during a collision?
Learning Outcome:

• ​Observe collisions between two carts, testing for the conservation of momentum.
• Measure energy changes during different types of collisions.
• Classify collisions as elastic, inelastic, or completely inelastic.

---

Materials

• Dynamics Carts with Magnets
  
• Dynamics Carts with Velcro and no Magnets
  
• Dynamics Track
  
• Motion Detectors
  
• LabQuest or Vernier Go Sensor
  

Procedure

1. Measure the weight of each of the dynamics carts with magnets.
   
2. Use an motion detector to measure the average acceleration of the carts going towards and away the collision.
   
3. Use the motion detector to find the position and time traveled into the collision and out.
   
4. Measure the weight of each of the dynamics carts with Velcro.
   
5. Use an accelerometer to measure the average acceleration of the carts going towards and away the collision.
   
6. Use the motion detector to find the position and time traveled into the collision and out.
   
7. If the dynamics carts do not stick together, redo the trial.
   
8. Do three trials for each type of experiment.

Activities

1. Find the average force initially exerted on each cart for your trials.
   
2. Find the average force on the final cart for each of your trials.
   
3. Use force, distance, and time to find total momentum for each trial.
   
4. Find the total momentum after the collision for each trial.
   
5. Find the difference between the two momentums for each trial.
   
6. Find the kinetic energy before and after the inelastic collisions.

Data Tables should include:

1. Average Acceleration
   
2. Mass
   
3. Force
   
4. Position
   
5. Time

Your brief summary write up should include:

• Title
• Purpose / Objective
• Setup
• Data, Graphs, and/or Calculations to support your results
• Conclusion
• Error Analysis

---

---