Conservation of Momentum Using Pasco Dynamics Cart
The Pasco dynamics carts are an attractive option to the
air track for many basic mechanics demonstrations. The equipment takes up less space
and makes less noise. The small amount of friction makes it easier to keep target
carts stationary before collisions.
Mass carts are each 0.5 kg and mass can be added in 0.5 kg increments. The end
bumpers can be oriented for either elastic (magnetic repulsion) or inelastic (Velcro)
collisions.
- Two carts of equal mass are placed end to end, equidistant from two
end bumpers set
for inelastic collision. One cart has a cocked spring plunger. The plunger is
triggered. The carts fly apart and stick to the end bumpers with simultaneous thumps.
Using distances traveled in equal times as indicators of speed, it can be argued that
positive and negative momenta are equal.
-
The mass of one cart is increased to 1.0 kg, with the other cart unchanged. The
carts
are placed on the track so that the 0.5 kg cart has twice the distance to a bumper that
the 1.0 kg cart has. The plunger is triggered. Carts stick to bumpers simultaneously.