What action(s) do you need to observe? For each experiment, we need to observe something different. For the first experiment, the Bouncy Collision with one moving and the other not, we need to observe how the energy of the moving object, and the impulse, transfer or conserve when in an 'isolated' system, where one object contains all of the initial energy. For the next experiment, Bouncy Collision with both moving, we need to observe how the object's energy, is conserved when hitting another object with an equal velocity. We also need to observe how the energy transfers and/or how it is conserved in an isolated system. In the Sticky Collision experiment, we will push one of the carts forward, connecting with another cart that has velcro and see how it reacts when 'caught'. This time, we will be seeing how the energy, instead of transferring back into the initial cart, how it pushes into the positive direction, measuring how much force is needed to move the secondary cart. For the sticky collision, we will be observing the two objects hitting together, both catching each other. We will need to observe what happens when two objects with, similar, velocities transfer energy when pushed toward one another. Finally, for the Explosive Experiment, we need to see how much force is generated from a simulated explosion, gauged by the velocity of the objects pushing off one another.
What quantities do you need to measure? We need to measure, the initial and final velocities for each experiment, the starting positions and ending positions of each object, and finally, the force transferred and conserved in the isolated systems.
What devices/equipment will you need to measure those quantities? We will need: Motion Sensors Ramp Carts Scale Narrative:
Bouncy Collision ~ One Moving - One Stationary
Collision - One Stationary, One Moving
Position vs Time Graph
Position 1 = Stationary Cart Position 2 = Moving Cart
In the data shown here, we can see that the stationary cart, once hit by the moving cart, slides back, gaining it's own velocity comparable to the one introduced by the initial cart.
Bouncy Collision ~ Both Moving
Bouncy Collision ~ Both Moving
Position vs Time Graph
Position 1 = Moving Cart Position 2 = Moving Cart
Bouncy Collision ~ Both Moving
Velocity vs Time Graph
Velocity 1 = Moving Cart
Velocity 2 = Moving Cart
For the second bouncy collision, it is shown that the energy does transfer from both carts into a collision, showing that they both rebound, almost identically.
Sticky Collision ~ One Moving, One Stationary
Sticky Collision ~ One Moving, One Stationary
Position vs Time Graph
Sticky Collisions ~ One Moving, One Stationary
Velocity vs Time Graph
In the graphs above, it shows that the moving cart, when hitting the stationary cart, transferred it's energy, conserving the amount of energy in the total system. This is evident when looking at the graphs which show a sharp increase in both carts before they both fade back to zero.
Explosive ~ Neither Moving
Explosive ~ Neither Moving
Position vs Time Graph
Position 1 = Explosive Cart
Position 2 = Explosive Cart #2
Explosive ~ Neither Moving
Position vs Time Graph
Position 1 = Explosive Cart
Position 2 = Explosive Cart #2
Finally, in this data, in is nearly identical, both erupting and falling the exact same way. This shows that the explosion enacted comparable energy on both carts and shows that the energy is conserved before it is turned into a potential energy, sliding to a stop.
Calculations: Initial Momentum = Mass A * Initial Velocity A + Mass B * Initial Velocity B = 0.250 kg * 0.666 m/s + 0.250 kg * 0 m/s = 0.1665 kgm/s Final Momentum = (Mass A + Mass B) * Final Velocity A and B = 0.250 kg * 0 m/s + 0.250 kg * 0.661 m/s = 0.1653 kgm/s Percent Difference = |0.1665 - .1653|/0.1653 = 0.73%
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Uncertainty: Any uncertainty we may have observed, we attribute that to the residual friction and gravity due to any slight leveling of the tracks. Factoring these uncertainties, our results somewhat confirms slight differences in our expectations for momentum.