Inelastic Collisions
Purpose
To gather evidence that can be used to support a claim that total system momentum is or is not conserved in an inelastic collision.
Background
The objects involved in a collision are often considered as a system. Provided that the system of two objects is not experiencing a net external impulse, there would be no change in momentum off the system. If one object within the system loses momentum, it is gained by the other object within the system. The combined momentum of both objects would be conserved.
Collision 1: Blue Cart Initially at Rest
Set the initial blue cart velocity to 0 m/s. Set the mass values to different values. Run the simulation and record the mass and velocity values.
To gather evidence that can be used to support a claim that total system momentum is or is not conserved in an inelastic collision.
Background
The objects involved in a collision are often considered as a system. Provided that the system of two objects is not experiencing a net external impulse, there would be no change in momentum off the system. If one object within the system loses momentum, it is gained by the other object within the system. The combined momentum of both objects would be conserved.
Collision 1: Blue Cart Initially at Rest
Set the initial blue cart velocity to 0 m/s. Set the mass values to different values. Run the simulation and record the mass and velocity values.
Collision 2: Blue Cart Moving Slower than the Red Cart
Set the initial blue cart velocity to less than the red cart velocity. Position the blue cart in the middle of the track. Use different mass values. Run the simulation and record the mass and velocity values.
Set the initial blue cart velocity to less than the red cart velocity. Position the blue cart in the middle of the track. Use different mass values. Run the simulation and record the mass and velocity values.
Conclusion
Since in both situations have no loss of momentum, the momentum would be conserved.
Since in both situations have no loss of momentum, the momentum would be conserved.