Exp. 6 – Conservation of Momentum in Collisions
Dear Students,
Please carefully read the instructions given in your lab manual (pages 49-51) about this experiment and follow the outlined procedure (pages 51-55) while watching the lab video from the link given below. This experiment requires recording data on a sheet of recording paper, so you won’t be able to collect data by just watching the video. The video only demonstrates how the experiment works. But, we recorded plenty of data for you to use, which are given in a zip file below. Please watch the video in full screen and in full HD (1080p) resolution. Some of the details might be difficult to see on a smaller window and lower resolution. To make it easier to follow the procedure, you will see labels on the video showing which part of the procedure is being performed.
Virtual lab video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48H5hLgkli0
Masses of the pucks for the datasets:
M(red puck) = 562.3 ± 0.1 g
M(blue puck) = 561.4 ± 0.1 g
Datasets:
https://introphyslab.sites.northeastern.edu/files/2020/03/Exp6-datasets.zip
This zip file contains 26 datasets. They are labeled according to the the first letter of your last name.
As an example, if your last name is Smith, use the files labeled:
- Exp6-S-1.gif (Investigation 1 data)
- Exp6-S-1.pdf (Investigation 1 data)
- Exp6-S-2.gif (Investigation 2 data)
- Exp6-S-2.pdf (Investigation 2 data)
- Exp6-S-3.gif (Investigation 3 data)
- Exp6-S-3.pdf (Investigation 3 data)
The GIF files show the motion of the pucks that you would see in the actual experiment. The PDF files contain the data that you would get on your recording papers. You can print the PDF files and analyze the data on the printed paper. If you use this method, make sure to scan or take pictures of the papers after you analyze your data and include them in your lab report. Another method is to use a software that can draw vectors on an image, such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Adobe Illustrator. By using the drawing functionality in the software you can draw vectors and lines, and measure angles by using the rotation function. If you use this method, make sure to export the edited images and include them in your lab report.
For either of these methods, you can use the overall size of the image to determine the correct length of the vectors that you will draw on the image. The PDF files use the standard letter size pages (8.5” x 11.0” or 21.6 cm x 27.9 cm). So a horizontal line spanning the width of the paper is 21.6 cm long, a vertical line spanning the height of the paper is 27.9 cm long.
Printable ruler and protractor:
Ruler: https://www.inchcalculator.com/printable-ruler/
Protractor: https://www.inchcalculator.com/printable-protractor-download/
Software:
Use your @northeastern.edu credential to download these software:
Microsoft PowerPoint: https://office365.northeastern.edu/
Adobe Creative Cloud: https://creativecloud.adobe.com/cc/en