DSM07 Smart Cart Collisions

DSM07 Smart Cart Collisions

Objective:

-Show the behaviour of two colliding carts of equal and unequal mass
-Experimentally observe the rules of momentum conservation in elastic and inelastic collisions

Apparatus:

Two Smart Carts, one blue and one red; weights for Smart Carts; level track with two end stops; PASCO CapStone (optional)

Methods:

Various collisions can demonstrate various aspects of momentum and energy conservation rules. Elastic collisions can be achieved by colliding the magnetic bumper sides of the carts. Fully inelastic collisions can be achieved by colliding the Velcro bumper sides of the carts. Partially inelastic collisions are less straightforward, but a collision between the magnetic bumper of one car and the Velcro bumper of the other is usually (slightly) inelastic.
If one cart begins in motion while the second is stationary and the two collide elastically, you can show that the first cart stops and all of its kinetic energy is transferred to the second cart if and only if the two are the same mass.

OPTIONAL:

The conservation of momentum and of energy can be quantitatively explored using PASCO Capstone. This is best done by making a single velocity vs. time graph and plotting the velocities of both the red and blue carts on the same graph. Note that the position sensors on the carts are directional, so if you are going to collide magnet-to-magnet or Velcro-to-Velcro, one of the position sensors has to have its sign changed (go to Hardware Setup, pick settings for one of the position sensors, and check “Switch Sign”)

Notes:

-The success of this demonstration depends greatly on the track itself being level, both in the direction of motion and perpendicular to it, so it shall be the responsibility of the technician to ensure a level, stable track.