Physics B
Impulse and Momentum Computer-Based Lab
Purpose: To illustrate the relationship between impulse and momentum.
Theory: An impulse (force times time) exerted on an object will equal the change in
linear momentum of the object.
Equipment:
Cart track
force sensor and motion sensor
Plunger cart (plunger out)
Ring stand (for force sensor)
Computer with Data Studio software and Science Workshop 500
Basic Experiment:
Figure out how to create a measureable impulse on the cart using the force sensor, and to
measure the resulting change in momentum of the cart. The mass of the cart is 500
grams; so is the mass of each black weight.
Hint: If your impulse is short (and usually impulses are of short duration), make
sure your sample rate is high enough so you don’t miss any of your impulse peak.
Analysis:
Compare the change in momentum of the cart with the measured impulse produced by
the force probe.
Discussion:
How close was your measured impulse to the change in momentum of the cart? How
might you improve the experiment? What might cause a difference in the measured
impulse and the change in momentum? What are some possible sources of error in this
experiment?
2/8/2016
Bertrand