inelastic_collisions

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inelastic_collisions [2019/08/26 17:09]
river created
inelastic_collisions [2023/11/13 20:18] (current)
35.21.167.235 [Questions to Think About]
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 You have likely witnessed both elastic and inelastic collisions in your life. Breaking in a game of pool is a common example of an elastic collision while two cars sticking together after an accident demonstrates an inelastic collision. Being able to determine what happens during these collisions– what changes and what stays the same– is important to help engineer useful products and innovations used everyday. Sometimes, as is the case for the seatbelt, these innovations both emerge as a result of these studies as well as utilize the concepts behind collisions. You have likely witnessed both elastic and inelastic collisions in your life. Breaking in a game of pool is a common example of an elastic collision while two cars sticking together after an accident demonstrates an inelastic collision. Being able to determine what happens during these collisions– what changes and what stays the same– is important to help engineer useful products and innovations used everyday. Sometimes, as is the case for the seatbelt, these innovations both emerge as a result of these studies as well as utilize the concepts behind collisions.
  
-In this lab, you and your group are tasked ​withcolliding ​carts in different situations (masses, velocities, etc.) and qualitatively and quantitatively determine the results ​ofthese ​collisions. From your observations and measurements,​ you will be able to determine what physical parameters – specifically kinetic energy and momentum, but any others you consider are acceptable – are conserved during collisions. From this investigation,​ you and your group will develop a better understanding the phenomena experienced and be able to discuss common misconceptions of forces felt during collisions.+In this lab, you and your group are tasked ​with colliding ​carts in different situations (masses, velocities, etc.) and qualitatively and quantitatively determine the results ​of these collisions. From your observations and measurements,​ you will be able to determine what physical parameters – specifically kinetic energy and momentum, but any others you consider are acceptable – are conserved during collisions. From this investigation,​ you and your group will develop a better understanding the phenomena experienced and be able to discuss common misconceptions of forces felt during collisions.
  
 ===== Theory ===== ===== Theory =====
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     *What it means for something to be conserved in a natural process     *What it means for something to be conserved in a natural process
  
-    *The difference between an elastic ​andan inelastic collision+    *The difference between an elastic ​and an inelastic collision
  
     *The parameters that determine common physical concepts, such as kinetic energy and momentum.     *The parameters that determine common physical concepts, such as kinetic energy and momentum.
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     *Why is this step important?     *Why is this step important?
  
-    *Discuss how your precision with regard to a level trackaffects ​the motion of carts on the track. How could this affect data in your experiment?+    *Discuss how your precision with regard to a level track affects ​the motion of carts on the track. How could this affect data in your experiment?
  
     *What additional things can you do to remove other uncertainties from your measurements?​     *What additional things can you do to remove other uncertainties from your measurements?​
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 **Part 2 – Observation of Inelastic Collisions** **Part 2 – Observation of Inelastic Collisions**
  
-While your group will investigate both typesof ​collisions, determining the properties of inelastic collisions will likely help support your understanding of elastic collisions. By now youall ​have observed a few collisions between carts on the track; continue (or start) to do so. While making observations,​ it may be useful to considerthe ​state of the carts before and after eachcollision. Try to be thorough –you will be using these observations to help support the analysi ​of your quantitative results.+While your group will investigate both types of collisions, determining the properties of inelastic collisions will likely help support your understanding of elastic collisions. By now you all have observed a few collisions between carts on the track; continue (or start) to do so. While making observations,​ it may be useful to consider the state of the carts before and after each collision. Try to be thorough –you will be using these observations to help support the analysis ​of your quantitative results.
  
     *How do the initial parameters (velocity, mass, etc.) of each cart affect the result of the collision?     *How do the initial parameters (velocity, mass, etc.) of each cart affect the result of the collision?
  
-    *Do you observe any differences in how the cards collidebased ​on the initial velocities of the carts? What does this tell you regarding how you can maintain consistency in your data?+    *Do you observe any differences in how the cards collide based on the initial velocities of the carts? What does this tell you regarding how you can maintain consistency in your data?
  
-    *What parameters are you resetting ​betweentrials ​to create better reproducibility?​+    *What parameters are you resetting ​between trials ​to create better reproducibility?​
  
-**Part 3-­‐ Measurements of Inelastic Collisions**+**Part 3 ­ Measurements of Inelastic Collisions**
  
-Looking at the important aspects you identified in Part 2 , determine the data do you need to take in order to determine what is conserved ​duringin ​these collisions (i.e., momentum, kinetic energy, etc.). If you decide time or velocity is important, decide how you will be determining these values (i.e., photogate timers, video tracking software, etc.).+Looking at the important aspects you identified in Part 2 , determine the data do you need to take in order to determine what is conserved ​during in these collisions (i.e., momentum, kinetic energy, etc.). If you decide time or velocity is important, decide how you will be determining these values (i.e., photogate timers, video tracking software, etc.).
  
 Note: If you are using photogate timers, they have a number of settings that are useful. It may help to take a couple minutes to determine which settings (including the memory) are most helpful and how to best utilize these. Note: If you are using photogate timers, they have a number of settings that are useful. It may help to take a couple minutes to determine which settings (including the memory) are most helpful and how to best utilize these.
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     *How do you compare across trials? Can you determine variables that are controlled?     *How do you compare across trials? Can you determine variables that are controlled?
  
-Create graphical representations that demonstrate ​whetheror ​not momentum and kinetic energy is conserved in these collisions.+Create graphical representations that demonstrate ​whether or not momentum and kinetic energy is conserved in these collisions.
  
     *What are you considering as your independent variable? What is dependent?     *What are you considering as your independent variable? What is dependent?
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     *How are you defining each parameter?     *How are you defining each parameter?
  
-    *Do you need to make adjustmentsto ​the way you define your parameters?+    *Do you need to make adjustments to the way you define your parameters?
  
-    *Are there sources of uncertainty that are appropriate ​tothis ​situation that were not important before?+    *Are there sources of uncertainty that are appropriate ​to this situation that were not important before?
  
 Create another graphical representation of what properties are conserved, especially considering momentum and kinetic energy.In addition to questions posed in Part 3 , it may be helpful to also consider: Create another graphical representation of what properties are conserved, especially considering momentum and kinetic energy.In addition to questions posed in Part 3 , it may be helpful to also consider:
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 Consider this scenario: Consider this scenario:
  
-A car is stopped at a red light. A truck behind the car has trouble with its brakes and can't stop in time, hitting the car from behind. Which vehiclefeels ​more force – the car or the truck?+A car is stopped at a red light. A truck behind the car has trouble with its brakes and can't stop in time, hitting the car from behind. Which vehicle feels more force – the car or the truck?
  
 After your group has discussed this, look at Newton'​s Third Law. How does that relate to your conclusion from above? After your group has discussed this, look at Newton'​s Third Law. How does that relate to your conclusion from above?
  
-    *If your answers don't agree, can you usethe ​results in your lab to reconcile the difference?+    *If your answers don't agree, can you use the results in your lab to reconcile the difference?
  
     *If your answers do agree, can you determine why the misconception is so prevalent amongst the population? How would you help another understand this common misconception?​     *If your answers do agree, can you determine why the misconception is so prevalent amongst the population? How would you help another understand this common misconception?​
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     *Does considering these aspects make you change your mind on any of your determined conservation laws?     *Does considering these aspects make you change your mind on any of your determined conservation laws?
  
-Utilizing this approach, are there otherareas ​of uncertainty you can investigate and account for in this way?+Utilizing this approach, are there other areas of uncertainty you can investigate and account for in this way?
  
-===== Questions to Think About ===== 
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-While conducting the experiment, consider the following questions: 
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-    *How are you designing your experiment to obtain only the information you seek? 
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-    *How does uncertainty affect your measurements?​ How can you design your experiment to minimize uncertainty?​ 
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-    *How do your results compare to the expected values? Can you rectify any differences?​ 
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-    *Where do you encounter similar phenomenon in your everyday life? How doesthis investigation relate to those examples? 
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-    *Why are you conducting this on an air track rather than on flat tabletop (air hockey table, for instance)? 
  
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