Momentum
What is a similarity between the collisions of objects that DONT connect?
In both of these types of collisions the objects switch momentums completely.
What is momentum?
Momentum is a characteristic of a moving object that is related to the mass and velocity of the object. It is measured in kg*m/s.
What is the law of Conservation of Momentum?
The Law of Conservation of Momentum states that in the absence of outside forces, the total momentum of objects that interact does not change.
What was the momentum marbles activity and what did it prove?
This activity portrayed the conservation of momentum as it is transferred from one object to another, using marbles. We tested what would happen if we put a certain number of marbles in a tube and allowed them to roll down it and collide with a certain number of marbles waiting at the bottom. What we noticed was that the number of marbles in the tube equaled the number of marbles that moved when collided with. For example, if there was one marble in the tube and 4 marbles waiting at the bottom, then when the collision occurred the marble furthest away from the tube was the only one that significantly moved away from the others. This was because there was only enough momentum in the tube to move one marble. However, if it was the other way around and 4 marbles were in the tube while one was waiting at the bottom, all of them would move a significant amount when the collision occurred because there was more than enough momentum to move what was waiting at the bottom.
What was the colliding cars activity and what did it prove?
This activity showed in two different ways how momentum could be conserved, using toy cars. The first way portrayed what would happen if a moving car hit a stationary car and they connected. We found out that both vehicles, now one, would continue to move, but because the mass had doubled, the speed was cut in half and split between each car- and because of friction, the slow car eventually stopped. The 2nd discovery that me made was when experimenting what would happen if you rolled the 2 cars towards each other at equal speeds. Even though they both stopped moving immediately when the collision occurred, we know that momentum was still conserved, as they cancelled each other out, but didn't lose any.
What happens when a collision occurs between two moving objects going in the same direction? (Say the car 1 hits car 2)...
When a collision occurs between two moving objects of the equal masses going in the same direction, momentum is conserved. Because of the action of car 1 hitting car 2, car 2's speed increases. However, the reaction of car 2 hitting car 1 back makes its speed decrease.
What happens when a collision occurs between two objects that are moving in opposite directions towards each other at different velocities?
When a collision occurs between two objects moving at opposite directions towards each other at different velocities, momentum is conserved, yet cancelled out.
What happens when a collision occurs between two objects that are both moving in the same direction and they connect during the action-reaction?
When a collision occurs between two objects that are both moving in the same direction and then they connect during the action-reaction, the momentum is conserved. Because the mass doubles, the velocity is divided in half.
What happens when a collision occurs between two objects, one moving and one not moving in the same direction? (say car 1 hits car 2)...
When a collision occurs between two objects, one moving and one not moving in the same direction, momentum is conserved. Because of the action of car 1 hitting car 2, car 2's speed increases. However, the reaction of car 2 hitting car 1 back makes it stop completely.
What is the formula for momentum?
momentum = mass*velocity momentum = kg*m/s p = mv
