Momentum and Pool May 8, 2018

Gina Tangelo Ben Davis

Marvin Lin
Donnie Harris

Introduction
Pool is a game of elastic collisions between rigid objects. Different from inelastic collisions where kinetic
energy is not conserved and the kinetic energy that is lost is changes to other forms of energy, elastic
collisions are where kinetic energy is conserved and the total kinetic energy before the collision is equal
to the total kinetic energy after the collision. In order to explore different types of collisions we have to
use the conservation of momentum equation which is: 𝑚𝑚 ⃗𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑚𝑚 ⃗𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 𝑚𝑚 ⃗𝑚𝑚𝑚 + 𝑚𝑚 ⃗𝑚𝑚𝑚 . This lab
meets the domain of using models, designing and executing investigations, analyzing and interpreting
data, using mathematics and computational thinking, and using the problem solving process.

Research Question:
We will a pool table simulator to explore different types of collisions to test conservation of momentum
using the equation listed above.

Materials
● Scientific computer with pool simulator
● Google Sheets

Procedure and Setup

1. Open up the link to the simulator: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/collision-lab/collision-
lab_en.html
2. Use the following masses for the following procedures for different scenarios:
Cue ball mass: .17 kg; object ball mass: .16 kg
For each scenario record initial (before collision) and final (after collision, but before any other
interactions) values for speed and momentum in the x and y directions. Also record the starting
positions for all balls in the x and y direction.
a. Remove all the balls from the table except the Cue Ball and the Number 1 Ball, keep
them at the y position of 0.. Aim directly for the center of the 1 Ball and shoot
b. Aim for the upper edge of the 1 Ball while keeping the ball at an initial y position of 0
c. Place the 2 Ball on the Table Touching the 1 Ball. Aim the Cue Ball at the point where
the two balls touch
d. Place one ball on the rack dot. Place the Cue Ball at the break position. Determine the
angle needed for the ball to go to one of the back pockets
e. Aim the 1 Ball and 2 Ball towards each other
f. Take a single ball and bounce it off the rail of the table
Data/Observations

Analysis/Calculations/Graphs/Questions
In scenarios 5 and 6, conservation of momentum applies as the momentum both before and after the
collisons remains the same. This is the case because for scenario 5 as the pool table simulator is
frictionless and both the positions and initial velocities of both balls are about the same. This is the
same in scenario 6 because the ball is is bouncing off a stationary wall on a frictionless surface.

Error Analysis
Because this experiment was done using a digital software, there isn’t much room for error unless the
instructions were done in a slightly different way. With the assumption that we followed the instructions
are told, there are no errors in the non-technological sense. However, because there is no such thing
as a frictionless pool table, these scenarios are unrealistic.

Conclusion
In conclusion, scenarios 5 and 6, and hence elastic equations, do represent conservation of
momentum. It also needs to be kept in mind that even with these conclusions from the data table the
results are not as realistic because of the frictionless pool table in the simulator. According to the data
in the data table, the equation used was able to be verified and so conservation of momentum was also
verified.