Name______________
Date_______________
Physics Period_______
If a section is highlighted, it needs your attention. Do not turn in your lab with
anything highlighted!
Names
1. Linear Momentum and Collisions
2. Purpose-The purpose of this lab is to observe linear collisions, quantify momentum,
and qualify the relationship between momentum and collisions using marbles.
Questions:
a. What is the relationship between the pre-collision momentum and postcollision momentum of marbles? (greater, lesser, equal)
b. How do your results relate to impulse? (No hypothesis necessary)
c. What type of collision did you observe? (No hypothesis necessary)
3. Hypothesis (predictions)
a. I predict that…
4. Materials: use bullet points
5. Background: Write anything here that someone would need to know to understand
your lab (definitions, etc)
 Linear Momentum
 Impulse
 Impulse Momentum Change Theorem
 Newton’s Third Law
 Conservation of Momentum
 Isolated System
 Friction
 Elastic Collision
 Static Collision
6. Procedure: Remember to write with enough detail so someone could repeat your lab
1. Hint: Use the same method for measuring post collision velocity and pre
collision velocity. Ex: If you measure pre collision velocity over 10 cm then
measure post collision velocity over 10 cm.
2. Hint: Measure pre-collision momentum and post collision momentum
during the same trial. Ex: You can’t measure pre-collision momentum for all
of your trials then go back and measure post-collision momentum later.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Trial
7. Data Tables-Complete the data tables.
# of
marbles
propelled
INTO
collision
PRE-COLLISION DATA
Mass of
PREMarble(s)
collision
propelled INTO Velocity of
collision (g)
Marble(s)
(cm/s)
PREcollision
Momentum
of Marble(s)
(g∙cm/s)
# of marbles
propelled
OUT OF
collision
POST-COLLISION DATA
Mass of
POST-collision
Velocity of
Marble(s)
propelled OUT
Marble(s)
OF collision (g)
(cm/s)
1A.
1B.
2A.
2B.
3A.
3B.
Vector Table-Vector Key: - = ?
Trial Pre/Post Vector
1A
Pre
1A
Post
1B
Pre
1B
Post
2A
Pre
2A
Post
2B
Pre
2B
Post
3A
Pre
3A
Post
3B
Pre
3B
Post
Observations-Make your own observations about the pre and post collision momentum.
You should make observations about your lab set up: Was there friction that may have
affected your results? Did you test momentum in a closed system? Brush up at
POSTcollision
Momentum of
Marble(s)
(g∙cm/s)
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/Phys/Class/momentum/u4l2b.html Make sure
you record in bullet points or in a table.
8. Results (graph here) Click on insert, picture, and chart. Format the cells to reflect the
above data. In your graph(s) make sure you show all data from your tables. Be sure to
compare pre and post collision side by side for easy comparison. Do not forget to include
a graph title and to label your axes.
Linear Momentum and Collisions
1
0.8
kg*m/s
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial
3B
3A
2B
2A
1B
1A
Pre-Collision Momentum
Post-Collision Momentum
9. Conclusion-FOLLOW THE RERUN FORMAT and address the questions. When
you are finished, post your lab on your UNIT 3 webpage. HINT: If your pre-collision and
post collision momentum are not equal explain why! Also, remember to post your
conclusion on nicenet. No paper needed!