physics

Elastic Collision between carts of equal mass:

Collision 1
Mass
(kg)
Initial Velocity
(m/s)
Final Velocity
(m/s)
Momentum Initial
(kg*m/s)
Momentum Final
(kg*m/s)
Red Cart
2.0
+ 50.0 0
0
0
Blue Cart
2.0
- 50.0 0
0
0

Elastic Collision between carts of unequal mass:

Collision 2
Mass
(kg)
Initial Velocity
(m/s)
Final Velocity
(m/s)
Momentum Initial
(kg*m/s)
Momentum Final
(kg*m/s)
Red Cart
1.0
+ 50.0 -33.33
50
-33.33
Blue Cart
2.0
- 50.0 66.66
-100
133.2

Inelastic Collision between carts of equal mass:

Collision 3
Mass
(kg)
Initial Velocity
(m/s)
Final Velocity
(m/s)
Momentum Initial
(kg*m/s)
Momentum Final
(kg*m/s)
Red Cart
2.0
+ 50.0
0
0
0
Blue Cart
2.0
- 50.0 0
0
0

Inelastic Collision between carts of unequal mass:

Collision 4
Mass
(kg)
Initial Velocity
(m/s)
Final Velocity
(m/s)
Momentum Initial
(kg*m/s)
Momentum Final
(kg*m/s)
Red Cart
1.0
+ 50.0 33.33
50
33.33
Blue Cart
2.0
- 50.0 -11.11
-100
-200

Calculations:

Collision
Total Momentum Initial
(kg*m/s)
Total Momentum Final
(kg*m/s)
Collision 1
0
0
Collision 2
-50
99.99
Collision 3
5
8
Collision 4
10
99.99

Questions and Conclusion:
1. Based on your observations of the 4 collisions, describe the physical difference between elastic and inelastic collisions. in an elastic collision all kinetic energy of the bodies colliding before the collision remains after the collision and none is converted into noise, or any other form of energy. in the real everyday world all collisions are inelastic and it is merely a matter of extent.

2. How are you able to determine if conservation of momentum occurs in each collision? momentum is always conserved. but you can calculate the vector sum p=mv of both objects before collisions after the collisions. your two vectors should be equal.
3. Write a complete conclusion for this lab.
My purpose for this lab was to explore conservation of