Conservation of Linear Momentum

1.
OBJECTİVE
The main aim of this experiment is to study the principles of conservation of linear momentum.
2. BACKGROUND
The experiment conservation of linear momentum talks in general about momentum. Momentum is
the product of the particles mass and velocity, and its symbol will be ⃗p ,and it can be described as a
vector quantity with the same direction as the particle’s velocity(What Is the Law of Conservation of
Linear Momentum):
⃗p=m× ⃗v (1)
And the particles velocity has a component of ( v x , v y ), then the momentum components will be (
p x , p y ):
p x =m× v x (2)
p y =m× v y (3)
The use of Newton's second law with respect to momentum can be described where the momentum
with respect to velocity and velocity is calculated to be zero with respect to static objects resulting in
zero momentum at rest.
d ⃗v d
∑ ⃗F =m× ⃗a=m dt = dt ( m ⃗v ) (4 )
By substituting the definition of momentum into equation (4), we get Newton's second law in terms
of momentum.
d ⃗p
∑ ⃗F = dt (5)
The relationship given in Equation 5 was exactly the interpretation of the conservation of momentum
with respect to the net zero effect of the force, the momentum will have a constant value with respect
to time. Momentum can be examined under two types of collisions known as elastic and inelastic
collisions. The equation for elastic collision(11.3 Conservation of Angular Momentum - University
Physics Volume 1 | OpenStax).
⃗pi= ⃗p f (6)
⃗p1 ,i + ⃗p2 ,i =⃗p 1 ,f + ⃗p 2 ,f ( 7)

The magnitude of the momentum of each puck before and after the collision will be:
⃗p1 ,i=m1 ⃗v 1 , i( 8)
⃗p2 ,i =m2 ⃗v 2 , i (9)
⃗p1 , f =m1 ⃗v 1 , f (10)
⃗p2 , f =m2 ⃗v 2 , f (11)
And by substituting the magnitudes 8,9,10, and 11 into equation 7 we will get:
m1 × v 1 ,i +m2 ×v 2 , i=m1 × v 1 , f +m2 × v 2 , f (12)
If the masses of the two pucks are equal, (m=m1=m2 ) then the conservation of the momentum gives
the velocity vector relationship.
v1 , i+ v 2 ,i=v 1 , f +v 2 , f (13)
3. EXPERİMENTAL PROCEDURE
 Materials:
1. Spark Timer
2. Air table
3. Compressor
4. Shooters
5. Carbon Paper
6. Data sheet
 Procedure:
1. Adjust the air table level to the exact level.

2. Make the spark timer frequency as f = 20 Hz.
3. Both spark timer and compressor pedals were pressed as well as the quiet pushing process of the
pucks to get a collision.
4. The midpoint of the air table is taken as the collision point.
5. The white paper has been released and the points are marked as displayed as in figure 1.
Figure 1: The motion of the two pucks before and after the collision.
4. Experimental Results
1
t= =0.05 s × 5 dots=0.25 s
20 Hz
x 1 ,i=14.3 cm=0.143m x 1, f =13.7 cm=0.137 m
x 2 ,i=13.4 cm=0.134 m x 2 ,f =13.4 cm=0.134 m
0.143 0.137
v1 , i= =0.572m/ s v 1 , f = =0.548 m/s
0.25 s 0.25 s
0.134 0.134
v 2, i= =0.536 m/s v 2 ,f = =0.536 m/s
0.25 s 0.25 s
Table 1: Conservation of linear momentum

v1 , i (m/s) 0.572
v 2, i (m/s) 0.548
|v 1 ,i +v 2 ,i| 1.15 m/s
|v 1 ,f + v 2 , f| 1.40 m/s
5. Conclusion and Discussion
This experiment is summarized in investigating the conservation of momentum of two pieces of
pucks moving on a horizontal air table without friction considering the assumption that there is no
external influence of emotion. Referring to Figure 1, the main objective of the experiment was to
calculate and monitor the same volume outcomes for two defined vectors before and after the
collision. As both size results were dependent on the initial velocity components, they were expected
to have the same values of 0.572 ≈ 0.548 with a slight numerical difference. The difference was
affected in the final volume results as shown in Table 1. The values of the first and last volume
results were calculated, respectively
1.15 m/s ≈ 1.40 m/ s ≈1.275 m/s
In general, if the slight numerical difference is ignored and the velocity is considered to be 0.5 m/s
before and after the collision and the masses of the puck are 0.56 kg, then the momentum can be
considered as conserved momentum with P-value = 0.714 Kg .m/s denoted by Equation 1.
Furthermore, Slight numerical differences observed in the computation part may come from sources
of errors. Sources of errors in the experiment may come from the force applied to the disk by the
group member which could be against the assumed assumption if the group member applies the force
too harshly. Friction has been ignored since the compressor pedal was tested prior to the experiment,
but nevertheless, this may affect the accuracy of the results. Distance measurements made on the
white paper by a group member may show an inaccurate result.
In conclusion, the main objective of the experiment was carried out by investigating the motion of the
disk in addition to the calculations made in order to observe the conserved momentum value.
Although the results had a slight numerical difference or error, the main objective of the experiment
was achieved, and the conservation of momentum was demonstrated.
6. Report Questions
Since the velocity before and after collision is calculated in Table 1 keeping the same result with a
slight numerical difference as
1.15 m/s ≈ 1.40 m/ s ≈1.275 m/s
The experiment consisted of two pucks of equal mass. Therefore, the momentum before the collision
will retain the same value after the collisions P = 0.714Kg .m/s.
7. References
11.3 Conservation of Angular Momentum - University Physics Volume 1 | OpenStax.
https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-1/pages/9-3-conservation-of-
linear-momentum#0. Accessed 16 Jan. 2022.
What Is the Law of Conservation of Linear Momentum. https://pediaa.com/what-is-the-law-
of-conservation-of-linear-momentum/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2022.

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1.

⃗p1 ,i + ⃗p2 ,i =⃗p 1 ,f + ⃗p 2 ,f ( 7)

⃗p2 ,i =m2 ⃗v 2 , i (9)

⃗p1 , f =m1 ⃗v 1 , f (10)

⃗p2 , f =m2 ⃗v 2 , f (11)

1. Adjust the air table level to the exact level.

Table 1: Conservation of linear momentum

1.15 m/s ≈ 1.40 m/ s ≈1.275 m/s

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