Lab V, Problem 1: Perfectly Inelastic Collisions

Evi Susilowati
November 2, 2012
Physics 1301W, Professor: Michael Zudov, TA: Nicholas Deluca
Abstract
The observation demonstrates how the inelastic collision works on moving object which
collides with stationary object. The observer developed models for each cases, when the moving
object is more massive, the objects are equally massive, or the stationary objects is more
massive. The observation was established by observing the velocity of the objects before and
after the collision. The result supports the prediction, that the first case will produce the highest
velocity for both of the objects after collision.
Introduction
The observer was involved in NASA to build a design for docking mechanism that would
allow two space shuttles to connect with each other. The mechanism is designed for one shuttle
to move carefully into position and dock with stationary shuttle. Since the shuttle carries
different payloads and different amount of fuel, their masses will also be different. It may be
moving shuttle is more massive, the shuttles are equally massive, or the stationary shuttle is more
massive. The observer will want to measure how these three cases produce different final
velocity. Therefore, the observer builds models for each case to check the prediction. It is
assumed that total mass of the two objects remains constant.


Prediction
This observation was design to measure the final velocity of the objects in three different
situations. Moving object is more massive (

), the objects is equally massive (

), and the stationary objects is more massive (

). The concept in this observation was

based on the conservation of linear momentum in inelastic collision, which can be formulated as:

Thus the final velocity of the two objects can be calculated from:

It is assumed that the total mass will be constant, so the magnitudes of the final velocity will
proportional to the mass of moving object.
Procedure
Prepare the equipment. The
equipment will consist of a track, a set
of carts, cart masses, meterstick, two
endstop and a set of computer with video recorder and MotionLab software. Record the masses
of the two carts. The cart A is given an initial velocity toward cart B. The velcro at the end of
each cart allows the carts to stick together after the collision. Make a video of their collision.
Analyze the video.
Data
Observation Mass A (m
A
/g) Mass B (m
B
/g)
Initial velocity
v
A
(ms
-1
)
Final velocity v

(ms
-1
)
I 256.5+500 257.5 .356 .222
II 256.5+250 257.5+250 .444 .201
III 256.5 257.5+500 .446 .112

Analysis
Based on the data above, the momentum of objects in this observation can be determined as:
Observation

Initial momentum Final momentum

I .7565 .2575 .3560 .2220 .2693 .2731
II .5065 .5075 .4440 .2010 .2249 .2038
III .2565 .7575 .4460 .1120 .1943 .1136
Table 1: momentum of the carts
The collision occurred is perfectly inelastic, thus the final velocity will involve the
sticking object with same velocity for each. The final momentum in each cases is approximately
the same with initial momentum. As predicted, the observation supports the conservation of
momentum.
As predicted, based on conservation of momentum, the data collected from the
observation can be tested using formula of

, therefore,
Observation

Actual velocity v
f
Uncertainty

I .7565 .2575 .3560 .2220 .2656 16.4%
II .5065 .5075 .4440 .2010 .2218 9.4%
III .2565 .7575 .4460 .1120 .1128 .7%
Table 2: final velocity predicted vs final velocity measured
The uncertainty above is caused by the error graph fitting. It also happens because of the
image distortion caused by the camera, inaccurate calibration in the MotionLab software, and
instrument error caused by the balance and the friction in the track. The friction in the track and
by the air resistance caused the deceleration of the cart movement.
Conclusion
The result of the observation supports the prediction that the momentum of the cart is
conserved, that the final velocities, which are predicted and measured, is approximately the same
both magnitude and direction. The observation here neglects some factors, which are the friction
with the track and the air resistance. According to the data collected, the final velocity is
proportional to the mass of cart A and the initial velocity of cart A. The momentum in this
observation is conserved. Because to be conserved, the amount of initial momentum and the final
momentum have to be same, the result show that the final momentum is approximately the same.
Considering the source of error, the momentum in the system still can be classified as conserved
momentum. If the momentum is conserved, the total energy in this system will also be
conserved. The sources of error in this observation are error graph fitting, image distortion
caused by the camera, inaccurate calibration in the MotionLab software, and instrument error
caused by the balance, also the friction.