Physics 141, Fall 2009.

In this laboratory we will conduct two experiments to study collisions.

In the first experiment, we will study the relation between the change in linear momentum and the impulse of the collision force. You will examine the change in the linear momentum of a cart when it interacts with a magnetic bumper that is mounted on a force sensor. You will measure the impulse of the collision force and compare it with the change in the linear momentum of the cart. The procedure to be followed for this experiment can be found by clicking here.

In the second experiment, we will two photogates to study eleastic and inelastic collisions. For each type of collisions we will determine if linear momentum is conserved, and study the change in the kinetic energy of the system. The procedure to be followed for this experiment can be found by clickinghere.

The laboratory report for this laboratory will be due on Wednesday October 21 at 12 pm (to be dropped off in the 141 Laboratory Locker, opposite of B&L 106). The laboratory report should describe the results of both measurements. Use the guidelines in "How to write a lab report" as a starting point for your report. Make sure you include whatever graphs are needed to support your conclusions, and provide a detailed error analysis of your results.

Quick links:

• Experiment 1:
  • Manual (pdf format)
  • DataStudio Setup(zip format) to be opened with the DataStudio program

• Experiment 2:
  • Manual (pdf format)
  • DataStudio Setup (zip format) to be opened with the DataStudio program

• Error analysis documents:
  • Introduction to error analysis (pdf document)
  • The weighted average (pdf document)

• Other usefull documents:
• DataStudio starter manual (pdf document)
• Point distributon Lab 03

Last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2009 22:13