Homework 10: PS 115 Lab Partners

Homework 10 Ps 115l Name Lab Partners

Answer the following questions: what is the formula for momentum? Explain what each term means. In your own words, what is momentum?

True or False:

• Momentum is conserved in elastic collisions, but not in inelastic collisions. – True False
• Kinetic energy is conserved in inelastic collisions, but not in elastic collisions. – True False
• In a car accident, the collision is considered perfectly elastic. – True False
• Collision between billiards balls is an example of an elastic collision. – True False
• The reason why energy is not conserved in inelastic collisions is because of human error. – True False

Problem 1:

A mass of 0.6 kg moving with a velocity of 2.4 m/s in the positive direction experiences a totally inelastic collision with a mass of 1.1 kg. What is the final velocity of the masses?

Problem 2:

A mass of 0.43 kg moving with a velocity of 1.5 m/s in the positive direction experiences an elastic collision with another mass of 0.22 kg moving with a velocity of 3.4 m/s in the negative direction. What will be the velocities of the two masses after the collision? Remember that in elastic collisions, both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved.

Extra Credit:

A mass m₁ moving at a speed v₁ collides with another mass m₂ which is at rest. Derive the expression for the final speed v₂f and v₁f. Assume the collision is perfectly elastic. After you get the expressions, explain what would happen to the velocity in the following cases: m₁ > m₂; m₁

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Momentum is a fundamental concept in physics representing the motion of objects and their interactions through collisions. Its conservation principle plays a crucial role across various physical scenarios, from microscopic particles to macroscopic objects like vehicles. This paper discusses the formula for momentum, explores the distinction between elastic and inelastic collisions, and solves specific examples to deepen understanding of momentum and energy conservation principles in different collision types.

Formula for Momentum and Its Explanation

The formula for linear momentum (p) of an object is p = m × v, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity. The momentum is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The term "mass" refers to the amount of matter in the object, generally measured in kilograms, while "velocity" indicates the speed and the direction in which the object is moving, measured in meters per second (m/s). The product of these two quantities yields the momentum, which quantifies the motion of an object.

In essence, momentum reflects an object's tendency to continue in its current state of motion unless acted upon by an external force. It is a conserved quantity in isolated systems, meaning that the total momentum before a collision equals the total momentum after, provided no external forces are present. This fundamental principle emerges from Newton's laws and the law of conservation of momentum, which is essential across physics disciplines.

Conservation of Momentum and Energy in Collisions

Collisions are categorized as elastic or inelastic based on energy conservation. In an elastic collision, both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved, and the objects bounce without permanent deformation or heat generation. Conversely, in inelastic collisions, kinetic energy is not conserved due to conversion into other forms of energy such as heat, sound, or deformation. However, momentum remains conserved in both case types, assuming a closed system with no external forces.

The statement "Momentum is conserved in elastic collisions but not in inelastic," is false because momentum conservation applies to all collisions in isolated systems, regardless of elasticity. Similarly, kinetic energy conservation characterizes elastic collisions exclusively. The notion that energy loss in inelastic collisions is due to human error is incorrect; it results from energy transformations dictated by physical laws.

Problem 1: Totally Inelastic Collision

Given data: mass m₁ = 0.6 kg, initial velocity v₁ = 2.4 m/s; mass m₂ = 1.1 kg, initial velocity v₂ = 0 (assuming stationary). In a totally inelastic collision, the two masses stick together after collision.

The conservation of momentum states:

m₁v₁ + m₂v₂ = (m₁ + m₂) v_f

Substituting the known values:

0.6 × 2.4 + 1.1 × 0 = (0.6 + 1.1) v_f

1.44 = 1.7 v_f

v_f = 1.44 / 1.7 ≈ 0.847 m/s

Thus, after collision, both masses move together with approximately 0.847 m/s in the positive direction.

Problem 2: Elastic Collision

The problem involves two objects, with initial velocities v₁i and v₂i, colliding elastically. Using conservation laws:

Conservation of momentum:

m₁v₁i + m₂v₂i = m₁v₁f + m₂v₂f

Conservation of kinetic energy:

½m₁v₁i² + ½m₂v₂i² = ½m₁v₁f² + ½m₂v₂f²

Given: m₁ = 0.43 kg, v₁i = 1.5 m/s; m₂ = 0.22 kg, v₂i = -3.4 m/s.

Applying the velocity exchange property of elastic collisions, the velocities are given by:

v₁f = [(m₁ - m₂) v₁i + 2 m₂ v₂i] / (m₁ + m₂)

v₂f = [(m₂ - m₁) v₂i + 2 m₁ v₁i] / (m₁ + m₂)

Calculations:

v₁f = [(0.43 - 0.22) × 1.5 + 2 × 0.22 × (-3.4)] / (0.43 + 0.22)

v₁f = [0.21 × 1.5 + (-1.496)] / 0.65 ≈ (0.315 - 1.496) / 0.65 ≈ -1.181 / 0.65 ≈ -1.816 m/s

Similarly,

v₂f = [(0.22 - 0.43) × (-3.4) + 2 × 0.43 × 1.5] / 0.65

v₂f = (-0.21 × -3.4 + 1.29) / 0.65 ≈ (0.714 + 1.29) / 0.65 ≈ 2.004 / 0.65 ≈ 3.084 m/s

The final velocities thus are approximately: v₁f ≈ -1.816 m/s, v₂f ≈ 3.084 m/s.

Extra Credit: Derivation of Velocities in Elastic Collisions

Consider a head-on elastic collision where the mass m₁ moving at initial velocity v₁ collides with mass m₂ at rest. The conservation laws are:

• Momentum: m₁v₁ = m₁v₁f + m₂v₂f
• Kinetic Energy: (½)m₁v₁² = (½)m₁v₁f² + (½)m₂v₂f²

From the velocity addition property, the relative velocity of approach before impact is:

v₁ - v₂ = -(v₁f - v₂f)

Since m₂ is initially at rest (v₂=0), the equations simplify to:

m₁v₁ = m₁v₁f + m₂v₂f

and

v₁ = v₁f + (m₂/m₁) v₂f

Using these, solving for v₁f and v₂f yields:

v₁f = [(m₁ - m₂) v₁] / (m₁ + m₂)

v₂f = (2 m₁ v₁) / (m₁ + m₂)

These expressions describe the final velocities after a perfectly elastic head-on collision.

Regarding the effect of mass ratios:

• If m₁ > m₂, v₂f will have a magnitude approaching v₁, and m₁’s velocity will decrease accordingly.
• If m₁
• If m₁ = m₂, both masses will essentially exchange velocities.

This behavior illustrates how mass influences velocity transfer during elastic collisions, with the velocities depending heavily on the mass ratio.

Conclusion

This exploration of momentum, collision types, and velocity calculations demonstrates the critical role of conservation laws in physics. Understanding elastic and inelastic collisions helps predict object behavior in many practical situations, from car crashes to particle physics. Accurate derivations and calculations reinforce these fundamental principles and their applications across diverse physical phenomena.

References

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