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inelastic_collisions [2019/08/26 17:18] river |
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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| Utilizing this approach, are there other areas 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 does this 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)? | ||