Lab Collision Lab Phet 2015

Collision Lab Simulation

Purpose: To study elastic and inelastic collisions in one-dimension.

Background Information:

Momentum: is a measure of mass in motion. It is the product of mass x velocity.
Conservation of Momentum: in the absence of external forces, such as friction, the linear momentum of a system remains constant.

Procedure:

1. Open web browser and go to the site: http://phet.colorado.edu
2. Click “play with sims”, then “physics”, and then “motion”
3. Find the “Collision Lab”
4. Click “Run Now”
5. Today’s lab will be entirely on the “introduction” tab
6. Check the box “show values”, and the “more data” button is clicked (and other checkboxes as desired)

Part 1 – Elastic Collsions

Scenario #1: Elastic collision between balls of equal mass
Make sure elasticity is 100%
Masses should be equal
One velocity should be zero, the other some amount, arranged to collide
Run the simulation
Fill in data table below:

Object
Mass
Initial Velocity
Final Velocity
Initial Mom. (ρ)
Final Mom. (ρ)
1

2

1. What is the relationship between the initial and final total momentums?

2. Describe the motion of the balls before and after the collision?

Scenario #2: Elastic collision between balls of unequal mass, with more massive ball stationary

Same as scenario #1, except have unequal masses and the less massive ball is stationary.
Fill in data table below:

Object
Mass
Initial Velocity
Final Velocity
Initial Mom. (ρ)
Final Mom. (ρ)
1

2

1. What is the relationship between the initial and final total momentums?

2. Describe the motion of the balls before and after the collision?

Scenario #3: Elastic collision between balls of unequal mass, with more massive ball moving

Same as scenario #1, except have unequal masses and the less massive ball is stationary.
Fill in data table below:

Object
Mass
Initial Velocity
Final Velocity
Initial Mom. (ρ)
Final Mom. (ρ)
1

2

1. What is the relationship between the initial and