Practical: Impulse and Change in Momentum
Use the following setup to compare change in momentum of an object with the
impulse delivered by an external force.
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Background information behind momentum and impulse
Apparatus
Method
Results
Analysis
1. What is the mass of the system?
2. Calculate the change in momentum of the system.
3. What is the magnitude of the net force applied to the system?
4. Calculate the impulse applied to the system.
5. Compare the impulse and change in momentum and discuss any
difference between your expected results and your calculations.
6. Which of the measured quantities was the least accurate? Why?
Practical: Momentum in Collisions
Design an experiment to show that momentum is conserved in a collision where
there is no external force acting on the system.
Theory
If the net force acting on a system is zero, the total momentum of the system
does not change. This statement is an expression of the Law of Conser- vation of
Momentum. Therefore, if no external forces act on two vehicles during a collision
between them, the total momentum of the system of the two vehicles remains
constant. It follows that the change in momentum of the first car is equal and
opposite to the change in momentum of the second car.
Analysis
1. What was the total momentum of the system before the collision?
2. If there were no unbalanced external forces acting on this system, what
would you expect the total momentum to be after the collision?
3. What was the total momentum of the system after the collision?
4. How do you account for the fact that momentum was not fully conserved
in this collision?
5. Mass was recorded in the tables in grams. Why is there no need to convert
it to kilograms?
6. What was the impulse applied to the car during the collision?