Collisions in One Dimensional Motion

PHY 103M Emmitt Luna Tiffany Chan

Introduction
In this experiment we will show the different types of collisions between two gliders, and try to verify Newtons law of conservation of linear momentum. Newtons law of conservation of linear momentum states that in any collision where no external forces are at work, the total linear momentum of the system is the same after the collision as before. We will also investigate whether or not the total kinetic energy will be conserved. We will get this information from measuring the initial and final velocities of each glider, which will end-up giving us the Kinetic Energy and Momentum of the gliders. The different types of collisions we will be conducting in this experiments are: Elastic Collisions, Partially Inelastic Collisions, and Completely Inelastic Collisions. For the elastic collisions, we will use bumpers on the gliders to try to make the gliders bounce back to their own photo-gate. For the partially inelastic collision, we will cover the bumpers with aluminum foil to try not to give the gliders the complete elastic collision. For the completely inelastic collision, we will attach Velcro on the bumpers of the gliders so they could stick with each other, which will make the gliders go in one direction and not bounce back.

Prediction
The theory is that if no exterior forces act upon an object, then that object will experience no change in momentum. Since we are dealing with no friction and partial air drag. Kinetic energy in the other hand will be conserved in the elastic collisions, but it will not be conserved with the gliders with aluminum foil and the Velcro.

Conclusion
The first two types of collisions were the elastic collisions. We had both of the gliders going towards each other and have them bounce in between the two photo-gates and then coming back to their respective photo-gate. Both momentum and kinetic energy were conserved in these collisions. Our first collisions had a percent error of less than 5%. Our first collision conserving 95.2195%. Our second conserving 98.054%. They both also somewhat conserved kinetic energy. Our first collision conserving 90.0075% and second collision conserving 87.01%. The next collision was a partially inelastic collision, which we added the aluminum foil to both of the gliders and then we weighted them. Momentum was conserved with a percentage of 98.11%. Kinetic energy just had 47.985% conserved, most of the energy was released when the aluminum foil collided. The last collision was the completely inelastic collision, which we had Velcro on the bumpers and then weighted them. Momentum was still conserved with a percentage of 98.0595% and the kinetic energy just 9.265% conserved throughout the process. The difference between the energy conserved of the Elastic collision and the Completely inelastic collision is really high. The completely inelastic collision just conserved 9.265% of its energy, and the elastic collisions conserved 90.0075% and 87.01% of their energy. Thus to show that energy is not conserved when it clearly takes energy to crush the aluminum foil and to get stuck with the Velcro.

Error
The small percentage of error mostly came from air drag. Other types of error would be that sound would come out when the gliders collided, and the glider would somewhat wobble after colliding. A way to improve is to be more careful on how fast the gliders will travel, and not try to make them collide hard enough to make them lose energy.