Elastic and Inelastic collision lab report

Toronto Metropolitan University

Abdullah Al Sameraie And Zaid Syed

PCS 211- 44
Instructor: Omar Falou
TA: Matthew Misca
Nov. 21 .2023
Introduction :

The purpose of this lab is to visualize the conservation of momentum in elastic and
inelastic collisions and analyze the kinetic energy. The law states that when two or more masses
interact, their total momentum stays constant unless an external force is exerted. Additionally,
the potential conservation of kinetic energy, dependent on the collision type, will be noted.
During the lab, kinetic energy will transform as the carts collide to form a single body. This
involves generating collisions between the two carts to determine their final velocities. The
software will display graphs depicting each collision, including the initial and final velocities of
both carts.

Theory :

In this lab we will be using the equations of conservation of momentum and

kinetic energy to solve for the final velocity.

Elastic collision.

Conservation of momentum.

𝑚1𝑣1𝑖 + 𝑚2𝑣2𝑖 = 𝑚1𝑣1𝑓 + 𝑚2𝑣2𝑓

Rearrange to solve for 𝑣 .

1𝑓
𝑚1−𝑚2 2𝑚2
𝑣1𝑓 = 𝑚1+𝑚2
* 𝑣1𝑖 + 𝑚1+𝑚2
* 𝑣2𝑖
Rearrange to solve for 𝑣 .
2𝑓
2𝑚1 𝑚1−𝑚2
𝑣2𝑓 = 𝑚1+𝑚2
* 𝑣1𝑖 + 𝑚1+𝑚2
* 𝑣2𝑖

Conservation of kinetic energy.

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
2
𝑚1𝑣1𝑖 + 2
𝑚2𝑣2𝑖 = 2
𝑚1𝑣1𝑓 + 2
𝑚2𝑣2𝑓

In an elastic collision the final velocities depend on the masses and initial velocities of the two
cars. The equation for 𝑣 and 𝑣 shows that the final velocities are influenced by both the
1𝑓 2𝑓
masses and the initial velocities. System will conserve both momentum and kinetic energy.
 Perfectly inelastic collision.

Conservation of momentum.

𝑚1𝑣1𝑖 + 𝑚2𝑣2𝑖 = (𝑚1+ 𝑚2)𝑣𝑓

Rearrange to solve for 𝑣 .

𝑓
𝑚1𝑣1𝑖+ 𝑚2𝑣2𝑖
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑚1+𝑚2
In a perfectly inelastic collision, the final velocities become dependent only on the
masses and the initial velocities. The two masses sticking together after collision, moving
with the same final velocity. The kinetic energy is not conserved, and some of it is
transformed into other forms.

Wherever there is a measured value, (a) there is an uncertainty associated with the measurement,

(∆𝑎) and the second measurement uncertainty (∆𝑏) which is either added or subtracted,

a ± ∆𝑎,

and the addition of two uncertainties can be added by.

2 2
∆𝑐 = ∆𝑎 + ∆𝑏

The same applies when multiplying or dividing but with a different equation.

δ𝑐 δ𝑎 2 δ𝑏 2
𝑐
= ( 𝑎
) +( 𝑏
)

For the collisions that did not conserve (kinetic) energy, what happened to that energy?

Give a few possibilities.

​ Heat, Some of the kinetic energy could be transformed into heat energy during the

collision due to friction or other dissipative forces. And Sound Energy may be transferred
 to the surrounding medium as sound waves, especially in collisions involving

deformation or compression.

Two particles collide: one of which is initially at rest. Is it possible for both of the

particles to be at rest after the collision? If so, give the conditions under which this might occur.

If not, explain why it is not possible.

1- The collision must be perfectly inelastic, so the kinetic energy is not conserved, and

the two particles stick together.

2- The initial particle at rest must collide with the moving particle so they combine and move as

a single mass with zero velocity.

In a perfectly inelastic collision, the two particles stick together, and the final velocity is

determined by the conservation of momentum. If the initial particle at rest has a mass that, when

combined with the mass of the moving particle, the resulting momentum is zero, then both

particles will come to rest after the collision.

𝑚1𝑣1 + 𝑚2𝑣2 = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2)𝑣𝑓. where 𝑚1 and 𝑚2 are the masses, v1 and v2 are the

initial velocities, and 𝑣𝑓 is the final velocity after collision. If 𝑣𝑓= 0, both particles will be at rest.

Apparatus:

● LabQuest Mini
●
● Graphical Analysis Software
●
● Vernier Carts(2)
●
● Aluminum Track
●
● Vernier Motion Sensor (2)
●
 ● Additional masse

Procedure :

The masses of the carts and the additional weight, along with their uncertainties,
were measured and recorded. Two motion sensors were positioned at each end of the
track and connected to the Logger Pro software, with additional computer settings
configured for the experiment.
For the inelastic collision, the carts, initially without extra weight, were set on the track
with Velcro pads facing each other. Cart 2 was kept stationary, and Cart 1 was launched
towards it using our hand. The “collect button” was pressed, the motion sensors recorded
the collision, and the resulting velocity-time graph was analyzed. Linear graphs were
plotted before and after the collision, with slopes representing cart velocities ( repeated 2
times ) . The same trial was repeated with extra weight added to Cart 1 ( repeated 2
times) and then transferred the weight to Cart 2 ( repeated 2 times) .
For the nearly elastic collision, the carts, initially without extra weight ( repeated 2 times
), were set on the track with magnets on their ends facing each other for repulsion. Cart 2
was kept stationary, and Cart 1 was launched towards it. The same steps in the inelastic
collision were initiated, but both carts had different velocities recorded. The trial was
repeated with extra weight added to Cart 1 ( repeated 2 times ) and then the weight
transferred to Cart 2 ( repeated 2 times ). All line graphs were recorded and saved for
analysis and comparison.

Results and calculations :

Inelastic collision:
𝑚1𝑣1𝑖+ 𝑚2𝑣2𝑖
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑚1+𝑚2

𝑝𝑖 = 𝑚1𝑣1𝑖

𝑝𝑓 = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2)𝑣𝑓

1 2
𝑘𝐸𝑖 = 2
𝑚1𝑣1𝑖
 1 2
𝑘𝐸𝑓 = 2
(𝑚1 + 𝑚2)𝑣𝑓

Trial 1 :
(0.51)(0.35)+ (0.51)(0)
𝑣𝑓 = (0.51)+(0.51)
𝑣𝑓 =0.175 m/s

𝑝𝑖 = (0. 51)(0. 35)

𝑝𝑖 =0.178 kg*m/s

𝑝𝑓 = (0. 51 + 0. 51)(0. 175)

𝑝𝑓 = 0.178 kg*m/s
1 2
𝑘𝐸𝑖 = 2
(0. 51)(0. 35)
𝑘𝐸𝑖 = 0. 031J

1 2
𝑘𝐸𝑓 = 2
(0. 51 + 0. 51)(0. 175)
𝑘𝐸𝑓 = 0. 0156J

Trial 2:

𝑣𝑓 = 0. 232𝑚/𝑠

𝑝𝑖 = 0. 303 kg*m/s

𝑝𝑓 = 0. 352kg*m/s

𝑘𝐸𝑖 = 0. 045J

𝑘𝐸𝑓 = 0. 040J
Trial 3:

𝑣𝑓 = 0. 117𝑚/𝑠

𝑝𝑖 = 0. 178 kg*m/s

𝑝𝑓 = 0. 177kg*m/s

𝑘𝐸𝑖 = 0. 031J

𝑘𝐸𝑓 = 0. 010J

Trial# Theoretic Theoretic Actual Actual %Error %Error

al 𝑣1𝑓 al 𝑣2𝑓 𝑣1𝑓(m/s) 𝑣2𝑓(m/s) 𝑣1𝑓 𝑣2𝑓
(m/s) (m/s)

1 0.175 0.175 0.160 0.160 9% 9%

2 0.232 0.232 0.182 0.182 27% 27%

3 0.117 0.117 0.117 0.117 0% 0%

Trial# 𝑝𝑖 ( kg*m/s ) 𝑝𝑓 ( kg*m/s ) %𝑝𝑖 lost

1 0.178 0.178 0%

2 0.303 0.352 -4.9%

3 0.178 0.177 0.1%

The momentum lost is very low indicating momentum is being conserved in the system.
 Trial# 𝑘𝐸𝑖 (J) 𝑘𝐸𝑓 (J) %𝑘𝐸𝑖 remained

1 0.031 0.0156 50%

2 0.045 0.040 80%

3 0.031 0.010 32%

The kinetic energy remaining in the system is very low which is an indication for a
transformation in kinetic energy into other forms of energy.

Elastic collision:
𝑚1−𝑚2
𝑣1𝑓 = 𝑚1+𝑚2
* 𝑣1𝑖

2𝑚1
𝑣2𝑓 = 𝑚1+𝑚2
* 𝑣1𝑖

𝑝𝑖 = 𝑚1𝑣1𝑖

𝑝𝑓 = 𝑚1𝑣1𝑓 + 𝑚2𝑣2𝑓

1 2
𝑘𝐸𝑖 = 2
𝑚1𝑣1𝑖

1 2 1 2
𝑘𝐸𝑓 = 2
𝑚1𝑣 1𝑓
+ 2
𝑚2𝑣 2𝑓

Trial 1:

0.51−0.51
𝑣1𝑓 = 0.51+0.51
* 0. 33

𝑣1𝑓= 0 m/s

2(0.51)
𝑣2𝑓 = (0.51+0.51)
*). 33
 𝑣2𝑓 = 0.33 m/s

𝑝𝑖 = (0. 51)(0. 33)

𝑝𝑖 = 0.168 kg*m/s

𝑝𝑓 = (0. 51)(0) + (0. 51)(0. 33)

𝑝𝑓 = 0.168 kg*m/s

1 2
𝑘𝐸𝑖 = 2
(0. 51)(0. 33)

𝑘𝐸𝑖 =0.027J

1 2 1 2
𝑘𝐸𝑓 = 2
(0. 51)(0) + 2
(0. 51)(0. 33)
𝑘𝐸𝑓 = 0.027J

Trial 2 :

𝑣1𝑓 = 0. 128m/s

𝑣2𝑓 = 0. 518 m/s

𝑝𝑖 = 0. 39 kg*m/s

𝑝𝑓 = 0. 39 kg*m/s

𝑘𝐸𝑖 = 0. 0768J

𝑘𝐸𝑓 = 0. 0766J
Trial 3 :

𝑣1𝑓 =− 0. 108m/s

𝑣2𝑓 = 0. 67 m/s

𝑝𝑖 = 0. 168 kg*m/s

𝑝𝑓 = 0. 621 kg*m/s

𝑘𝐸𝑖 = 0. 027J

𝑘𝐸𝑓 = 0. 22J

Trial# Theoretic Theoretic Actual Actual %Error %Error

al 𝑣1𝑓 al 𝑣2𝑓 𝑣1𝑓(m/s) 𝑣2𝑓(m/s) 𝑣1𝑓 𝑣2𝑓
(m/s) (m/s)

1 0 0.33 0.86 0.80 -100% -58%

2 0.128 0.518 0.33 2.01 -60% -74%

3 -0.108 0.67 -0.12 0.30 -10% 123%

Trial# 𝑝𝑖 ( kg*m/s ) 𝑝𝑓 ( kg*m/s ) %𝑝𝑖 lost

1 0.168 0.168 0%

2 0.39 0.39 0%

3 0.168 0.621 -45%

The momentum is not lost in the system which indicates a momentum conservation.

Trial# 𝑘𝐸𝑖 (J) 𝑘𝐸𝑓 (J) %𝑘𝐸𝑖 remained

1 0.027 0.027 100%

2 0.0768 0.0766 99%

3 0.027 0.22 814%

The kinetic energy is not being transformed rather it's conserved in the system.
 Discussion and conclusion :

In an elastic collision, both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved. If "cart 1"
bounces backward after the collision, it implies that it has transferred some of its kinetic energy
and momentum to the other car it collided with. This scenario typically occurs when "cart 1" has
a higher initial velocity than the other car and the collision is not perfectly head-on. In summary,
"cart 1" bounces backward in an elastic collision when it has a higher initial velocity than the
other car, leading to the transfer of kinetic energy and momentum during the collision. This
behavior is consistent with the principles of conservation of energy and momentum.

In inelastic collision the final velocity calculated indicates a low percentage error,
0%-27% which indicates a successful collision experiment with low error. The difference
between the theoretical velocity and the actual velocity is due to air friction, cart friction, and
gravitational acceleration. The momentum lost is 0% which is correct because momentum is
conserved in inelastic collision, but for trial 2 momentum is -4.9%, which indicates an increase
of momentum, it's impossible under perfect conditions. A possible source of error is wrong
initial velocity, when giving a push to the cart the sensor took the hand velocity and the cart
velocity as one and provided a higher initial velocity. Furthermore the loss of kinetic energy is
significant which indicates that kinetic energy is not being conserved in this system which is a
property of inelastic collision, the kinetic energy lost will transform into heat and sound energy.

In elastic collision the final velocity calculated has a significant percentage error, it's due
to many possible errors but the main are air friction, cart friction and gravitational pull. The
momentum is conserved as shown with zero change. Kinetic energy remaining has a high
percentage which also indicates a conservation of kinetic energy.

In conclusion, The objective of this lab was to observe the properties of momentum and
kinetic energy. The calculations showed conservation of momentum and a loss of kinetic
energy for inelastic collision which is true for inelastic collision. Elastic collisions have
shown a conservation of momentum and kinetic energy which is a true property of elastic
collision, on the other hand a significant percentage error was shown which is due to a
systematic and a human error. Furthermore the sources of error due to calculating the
final velocity are friction forces and the gravity.

Data:

Perfectly Inelastic collision

Cart 1(g) Cart 2(g) velocity of velocity of velocity of velocity of trial#
± 0. 05𝑔 ± 0. 05𝑔 cart 1 cart 2 cart 1 cart 2
before before after after
collision collision collision collision
m/s m/s m/s m/s

510 510 0.33 0 0.158 0.158 1

510 510 0.35 0 0.160 0.160 2

510 510 0.30 0 0.155 0.155 3

Cart 1(g) Cart 2(g) velocity of velocity of velocity of velocity of trial#
± 0. 1𝑔 ± 0. 05𝑔 cart 1 cart 2 cart 1 cart 2
before before after after
collision collision collision collision
m/s m/s m/s m/s

1010 510 0.29 0 0.182 0.182 1

1010 510 0.30 0 0.185 0.185 2

1010 510 0.33 0 0.188 0.188 3

Cart 1 (g) Cart 2(g) velocity of velocity of velocity of velocity of trial#

± 0. 05𝑔 ± 0. 1𝑔 cart 1 cart 2 cart 1 cart 2
before before after after
collision collision collision collision
m/s m/s m/s m/s

510 1010 0.37 0 0.112 0.112 1

510 1010 0.41 0 0.122 0.122 2

510 1010 0.35 0 0.117 0.117 3

Elastic collision

Cart 1(g) Cart 2(g) velocity of velocity of velocity of velocity of trial#

± 0. 05𝑔 ± 0. 05𝑔 cart 1 cart 2 cart 1 cart 2
before before after after
collision collision collision collision
m/s m/s m/s m/s

510 510 0.28 0 0.75 0.63 1

510 510 0.36 0 0.93 0.88 2

510 510 0.33 0 0.86 0.80 3

 Cart 1(g) Cart 2(g) velocity of velocity of velocity of velocity of trial#
± 0. 1𝑔 ± 0. 05𝑔 cart 1 cart 2 cart 1 cart 2
before before after after
collision collision collision collision
m/s m/s m/s m/s

1010 510 0.22 0 0.20 1.89 1

1010 510 0.39 0 0.33 2.01 2

1010 510 0.28 0 0.22 1.97 3

Cart 1(g) Cart 2(g) velocity of velocity of velocity of velocity of trial#

± 0. 05𝑔 ± 0. 1𝑔 cart 1 cart 2 cart 1 cart 2
before before after after
collision collision collision collision
m/s m/s m/s m/s

510 1010 0.45 0 -0.18 0.40 1

510 1010 0.33 0 -0.12 0.30 2

510 1010 0.28 0 -0.098 0.22 3

References:

Toronto Metropolitan University. Lab 5 - Conservation of momentum . PCS-211 Common Shell.

Retrieved November 20 , 2023, from:

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