Elastic Collision 11/12/98

1. Prepare and weigh the gliders and masses:

3. Set up timing photogates:

The lengths of gliders should be the total length which the photogate can detect.

The length of Glider with tab = ___________________

The length of Glider with bumper = _________________

5. Set up the sofeware:

Print out one sample data and analyze it. (See the sample on the back).

The positive velocities are measured to the right

7. Make measurements: (Just fill in the data)

1. One glider initially at rest, the other started by the launcher

Case

m1 (kg)

m2 (kg)

V1i (m/s)

V2i

V1f

V2f

Pi (Kg.m/s)

Pf

D P

Ki ( J)

Kf

D K

1

2

3

4

5

2. Both gliders started by the launchers

8. Answer the questions.

Sample

Here is a typical table of times recorded with 100 grams added to each glider, and both gliders launched.

Using the formulas to analyze your data:

V_1i , V_2i : velocity before collision

V_1f , V_2f : velocity after collision

P_i = m₁v_1i +m₂v_2i , P_f = m₁v_1f +m₂v_2f , D P = P_i -P_f