Go to the following link: http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/collision-lab/collision-
ID: 1419306 • Letter: G
Question
Go to the following link: http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/collision-lab/collision-lab_en.html
1. Click "advanced" tab and select 1 dimension.
2. All setting should be unchecked except for Velocity Vectors.
3. Elasticity should be at 100%
4. Click on more data at bottom of the screen (table)
QUESTION 1
In the green box, set Elasticity to 0.0 (which is 0%)
Setup the table in the lab as follows:
ball
mass(kg)
x
y
Vx(m/s)
Vy(m/s)
1
.01
0
0
.1
0
2
7
1
0
0
0
a. What is the total momentum of the system?
Click on Play and click on Pause after the balls collide
b. What is the value of the momentum Px of ball 1?
c. What is the value of the momentum Px of ball 2?
Explain why the values of (b) and (c) are the values they are
QUESTION 2
In the green box, set Elasticity to 0.0 (which is 0%)
Setup the table in the lab as follows:
ball
mass(kg)
x
y
Vx(m/s)
Vy(m/s)
1
.01
0
0
100
0
2
7
1
0
0
0
a. What is the total momentum of the system?
Click on Play and click on Pause after the balls collide
b. What is the value of the momentum Px of ball 1?
c. What is the value of the momentum Px of ball 2?
d. Explain why the values of (b) and (c) are the values they are
e. The significance of this exercise is a small mass can carry and transfer a large amount of ___________ if it has a high __________.
ball
mass(kg)
x
y
Vx(m/s)
Vy(m/s)
1
.01
0
0
.1
0
2
7
1
0
0
0
Explanation / Answer
1) Momentum = mass x velocity
so momentum of the green ball before collision = 7 kg x 0 m/s = 0 kgm/s
momentum of the red ball before the collision = 0.1kg x 0.01 m/s = 0.001 kgm/s
therefore total momentum before the collision = 0 + 0.001 = 0.001 kgm/s
And we know that momentum is conserved in any collision. Thus this must also be our final total momentum after the collision.
2) Velocity of the red ball before the collision has changed to 100 m/s whereas the velocity of the green ball before the collision remains the same (0 m/s)
so the momentum for the red ball before the collision = 0.01 kg x 100 m/s = 1 kgm/s
and momentum for the green ball before the collision = 7 kg x 0 m/s = 0 kgm/s
therefore the total momentum = 0 + (0.01 x 100) = 1 kgm/s
In 2nd question the velocity of the red ball has been increased drastically and this affects the outcome after the balls collide. Thus a small mass can carry and transfer a large amount of 'energy' if it has a high 'velocity'
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