Kingdom of Bahrain
AMA international University - Bahrain
College of Engineering - Physics 1
Experiment No. 4
Inelastic and Elastic Collisions
Use the website below for simulation
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Momentum-and-Collisions/Collision-
Carts/Collision-Carts-Interactive
Inelastic Collisions
Purpose: To gather evidence that can be used to support a claim that total system momentum is or
is not conserved in an inelastic collision.
Background: The objects involved in a collision are often considered as a system. Provided that
the system of two objects is not experiencing a net external impulse, there would be no change in
momentum of the system. If one object within the system loses momentum, it is gained by the other
object within the system. The combined momentum of both objects would be conserved.
Getting Ready: Navigate to the Collision Carts Interactive in the Physics Inter actives section of
The Physics Classroom website:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Momentum-and-Collisions/Collision-
Carts Path:
physicsclassroom.com => Physics Inter actives => Momentum and Collisions => Collision Carts
Once the Interactive opens, resize it as desired. Select the Inelastic Collisions option. Experiment with
changing the Mass and the Initial Velocity of the two carts. Observe how the position of the carts
along the track can be changed by dragging. Learn to Start, Pause, and Reset the animation.
Collision 1: Blue Cart Initially at Rest
Set the initial blue cart velocity to 0 m/s. Set the mass values to different values. Run the
simulation and record the mass and velocity values.
Before Collision After Collision
v = ___________ m/s v = ___________ m/s
mRed = _________ kg mBlue = _________ kg
Use mass and velocity values to complete the following momentum table.
Before Collision After Collision ∆Momentum
________kg x _______m/s ________kg x _______m/s
Red Cart
= ____________kg•m/s = ____________kg•m/s
________kg x _______m/s ________kg x _______m/s
Blue Cart
= ____________kg•m/s = ____________kg•m/s
System Total
Collision 2: Blue Cart Moving Slower than the Red Cart
Set the initial blue cart velocity to less than the red cart velocity. Position the blue cart in the middle of
the track. Use different mass values. Run the simulation and record the mass and velocity values.
Before Collision After Collision
v = ___________ m/s v = ___________ m/s v = ___________ m/s
mRed = _________ kg mBlue = _________ kg
Use mass and velocity values to complete the following momentum table.
Before Collision After Collision ∆Momentum
________kg x _______m/s ________kg x _______m/s
Red Cart
= ____________kg•m/s = ____________kg•m/s
________kg x _______m/s ________kg x _______m/s
Blue Cart
= ____________kg•m/s = ____________kg•m/s
System Total
Conclusion
Make a Claim as to whether momentum is conserved or not conserved. Identify the Evidence that
provides support for your claim; refer to specific sets of values in each data table that serve as credible
evidence. Write a paragraph or more of sound Reasoning to argue why the evidence logically lead to
the claim you are making. Write well. Write logically. Write thoroughly. Use a separate page of paper
if necessary.
Elastic Collisions
Purpose: To gather evidence that can be used to support a claim that total system momentum is or
is not conserved in an elastic collision.
Background: The objects involved in a collision are often considered as a system. Provided that
the system of two objects is not experiencing a net external impulse, there would be no change in
momentum of the system. If one object within the system loses momentum, it is gained by the other
object within the system. The combined momentum of both objects would be conserved.
Getting Ready: Navigate to the Collision Carts Interactive in the Physics Interactives section of
The Physics Classroom website:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Momentum-and-Collisions/Collision-
Carts Path:
physicsclassroom.com => Physics Interactives => Momentum and Collisions => Collision Carts
Once the Interactive opens, resize it as desired. Select the Elastic Collisions option. Experiment
with changing the Mass and the Initial Velocity of the two carts. Observe how the position of the
carts along the track can be changed by dragging. Learn to Start, Pause, and Reset the animation.
Collision 1: Blue Cart Initially at Rest
Set the initial blue cart velocity to 0 m/s. Set the mass values to different values. Run the
simulation and record the mass and velocity values.
Before Collision After Collision
vred = ___________ m/s vred = ___________ m/s vblue = ___________ m/s
mRed = _________ kg mBlue = _________ kg
Use mass and velocity values to complete the following momentum table.
Before Collision After Collision ∆Momentum
________kg x _______m/s ________kg x _______m/s
Red Cart
= ____________kg•m/s = ____________kg•m/s
________kg x _______m/s ________kg x _______m/s
Blue Cart
= ____________kg•m/s = ____________kg•m/s
System Total
Collision 2: Blue Cart Moving Slower than the Red Cart
Set the initial blue cart velocity to less than the red cart velocity. Position the blue cart near the red
cart so that the collision occurs near the middle of the track. Give the blue cart a smaller mass. Run the
simulation and record the post-collision mass and velocity values.
Before Collision After Collision
vred = _________ m/s vblue = _________ m/s vred = _________ m/s vblue = _________ m/s
mRed = _________ kg mBlue = _________ kg
Use mass and velocity values to complete the following momentum table.
Before Collision After Collision ∆Momentum
________kg x _______m/s ________kg x _______m/s
Red Cart
= ____________kg•m/s = ____________kg•m/s
________kg x _______m/s ________kg x _______m/s
Blue Cart
= ____________kg•m/s = ____________kg•m/s
System Total
Conclusion
Make a Claim as to whether momentum is conserved or not conserved. Identify the Evidence that
supports your claim; refer to specific sets of values in each data table. Write a paragraph or more of
sound Reasoning to argue why the evidence logically lead to the claim you are making. Write
well. Write logically. Write thoroughly. Use a separate page of paper if necessary.
