A2 physics Practicals 56873290-Practical-2-Momentum-and-momentum-conservation-–-small-trolleys

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Practical 2 Momentum and momentum conservation – small trolleys Purpose

Safety Lift the wooden support board with care.

Theaimofthisexperime Theaimofth isexperimentistostudymo ntistostudymomentum mentum anditsconservationinaninelasti anditsconserv ationinaninelasticcollision. ccollision.

Youwillneed: • Two wot tro roll lley eyss

• Ei Eigh ght tw was ashe hers rs

• Twop wopiece iecesof sofV Velcr elcro®st o®strip rip

• Two woli light ghtga gates tesan ands dsuit uitabl able e

• Pl Plas asti tic cru runw nway ay

• Me Means ansof ofco compe mpensa nsatin tingt gthe he

interface

• Woo oode den nsu supp ppor ort tbo boar ard d

light gate 1

runwayforfriction

light gate 2

mask size 1 cm trolley A trolley B washers

Velcro® strip

Velcro ® strip

Figure 1: Arrangement of small trolleys to investigate investigate momentum and momentum conservation

Experimental instructions Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram with our washers on each trolley. trolley. Compensate or riction by tilting the r unway slightly. slightly. Check by giving one trolley a small push and confrming that it runs down the runway with constant speed. Mount a piece o Velcro ® on each trolley so that the trolleys stick together when they collide. Set the interace unit to record the speed o trolley A beore the collision and the speed o the two trolleys (A and B joined together) ater the collision. Put trolley A at one end o the runway and trolley B just beore light gate 2. Give trolley A a push (not too large) so that it runs down the runway, runway, cutting through the light beam o light gate 1 and colliding with, and sticking to, trolley B. The two trolleys will now travel on, the mask on trolley A cutting through the light beam o light gate 2. Repeat the experiment or diering initial speeds and trolley masses.

Analysis and conclusions Use your results to test the law o conservation o momentum. Calculate the total momentum o both trolleys beore and ater the collision. Comment on the most important sources o error in your experiment and how they might be reduced.

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