Suppose a lab group does the same set of experiments that you have just complete

Question

Suppose a lab group does the same set of experiments that you have just completed. In their results for Collision #2 they see that the magnitude of the final momentum of the system was considerably greater than that of the initial momentum of the system. The lab group rules out problems in measuring the mass of the carts and in the timer as possible sources of error. Identify two other possible sources of error that would cause the final momentum of the system to be greater than the initial momentum of the system. Explain. For which trial or trials, if any, do you believe that the total momentum of the system was not conserved? Explain how you used your results to judge whether or not momentum was conserved. For which trial or trials, if any, do you believe that the total kinetic energy of the system was not conserved? Explain how you used your results to judge whether or not kinetic energy was conserved. Elastic collisions are collisions in which the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved, Collisions in which total kinetic energy is not conserved are called inelastic collisions. Is it correct to say that inelastic collisions do not conserve total momentum? Cite specific results from lab to support your answer.

Explanation / Answer

According to the collision theoy, the initial momentum must be equal to the final momentum. If friction is there then final momentum should be less than the initial momentum.

Apart from measuring mass and time, one has to measure distance and the directions of motion of two systems (before and after collision). These two can also cause the erors in finding the momentum.

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