Learning Objectives:
1. Understanding force vs time curves for a collision.
2. Calculating impulse using force vs. time curves.
3. Understanding the relationship between impulse and momentum.
4. Applying conservation of momentum for inelastic collisions.
Apparatus: Aluminum track, track legs, two smart carts, two cart stops, and small black rectangular cart masses.
Part A: Collision of a moving cart with a fixed cart
Cart stop cart 1 stationary cart cart stop
Consider the set up shown above. Cart 1 (mass m1) moves to the right and collides with the stationary cart 2
(mass m2). Just before the collision cart 1 is moving with velocity ???. (Pay attention to cart +x direction when
place the carts)
1. What are the magnitude and direction of the momentum of cart 1 before the collision? Use an arrow to
indicate the direction.
Magnitude of ?⃗⃗⃗1 ⃗⃗? = |?⃗⃗⃗1 ⃗⃗?| = m1vxi Direction of ?⃗⃗⃗1 ⃗⃗? : positive X axis
2. If the cart bounces back with velocity ???, what are the magnitude and direction of the momentum of cart 1
after the collision?
Magnitude of ?⃗⃗⃗1⃗⃗⃗? = |? ⃗⃗⃗1 ⃗⃗⃗?| = m1vxf Direction of ?⃗⃗⃗1⃗⃗⃗? : negative X axis
3. What are the magnitude and direction of the change in momentum of cart 1?
Magnitude of ∆⃗⃗⃗⃗?⃗⃗⃗1 = |∆⃗⃗⃗⃗?⃗⃗⃗1| = m1vxf+m1vxu Direction of ∆⃗⃗⃗⃗?⃗⃗⃗1 : negative X
4. What is the direction of impulse on the moving cart?
To the right or to the left, indicate with an arrow:
5. What is the direction of the impulse on the stationary cart?
To the right or to the left, indicate with an arrow: