C 1D Collisions PhET Lab
Momentum and Simple 1D Collisions PhET Lab
Introduction: When objects move, they have momentum. Momentum, p, is simply the product of an object’s mass (kg) and its velocity (m/s). The unit for momentum, p, is kgm/s. During a collision, an object’s momentum can be transferred to impulse, which is the product of force (N) and time (s) over which the force acts. This allows us to write the momentum-impulse theorem:
Procedure: Play with the Sims Physics Motion Collision Lab
Work with 1D collisions at this level. Later (AP Physics) you'll use trigonometry to solve 2D collisions. Velocity to the right is positive, left is negative. Check your work in the simulation after you have completed the tables.
Important Formulas:
Perfectly Elastic Collisions: To begin a collision: To restart a collision:
Take some time to familiarize yourself with the simulation and perfect collisions. Play. Investigate. Learn.
Investigate the action of a more-massive attacking object striking a less-massive target object.
What happens to the more-massive attacking object? ______________________________________
What happens to the less-massive target object? __________________________________________
Investigate the action of a less-massive attacking object striking a more-massive target object.
What happens to the less-massive attacking object? _______________________________________
What happens to the more-massive target object? _________________________________________
Complete the below table without the simulation and check your work in the simulation. m1 m2 v1 v2 ptotal v1’ v2’ 1.20 kg
1.20 kg
+1.50 m/s
-1.80 m/s
-1.80 m/s
2.40 kg
4.80 kg
+1.30 m/s
0.0 m/s
-.433 m/s
2.50 kg
3.90 kg
.850 m/s
11.5 kgm/s
2.68 m/s
5.10 kg
1.00 kg
0.900 m/s
-4.60 m/s
4.60 m/s
KE stands for Kinetic Energy and is measured in joules. Note that kinetic energy is not a vector quantity. Describe the effect of an elastic collision on the total kinetic energy of the two-object system.
Introduction: When objects move, they have momentum. Momentum, p, is simply the product of an object’s mass (kg) and its velocity (m/s). The unit for momentum, p, is kgm/s. During a collision, an object’s momentum can be transferred to impulse, which is the product of force (N) and time (s) over which the force acts. This allows us to write the momentum-impulse theorem:
Procedure: Play with the Sims Physics Motion Collision Lab
Work with 1D collisions at this level. Later (AP Physics) you'll use trigonometry to solve 2D collisions. Velocity to the right is positive, left is negative. Check your work in the simulation after you have completed the tables.
Important Formulas:
Perfectly Elastic Collisions: To begin a collision: To restart a collision:
Take some time to familiarize yourself with the simulation and perfect collisions. Play. Investigate. Learn.
Investigate the action of a more-massive attacking object striking a less-massive target object.
What happens to the more-massive attacking object? ______________________________________
What happens to the less-massive target object? __________________________________________
Investigate the action of a less-massive attacking object striking a more-massive target object.
What happens to the less-massive attacking object? _______________________________________
What happens to the more-massive target object? _________________________________________
Complete the below table without the simulation and check your work in the simulation. m1 m2 v1 v2 ptotal v1’ v2’ 1.20 kg
1.20 kg
+1.50 m/s
-1.80 m/s
-1.80 m/s
2.40 kg
4.80 kg
+1.30 m/s
0.0 m/s
-.433 m/s
2.50 kg
3.90 kg
.850 m/s
11.5 kgm/s
2.68 m/s
5.10 kg
1.00 kg
0.900 m/s
-4.60 m/s
4.60 m/s
KE stands for Kinetic Energy and is measured in joules. Note that kinetic energy is not a vector quantity. Describe the effect of an elastic collision on the total kinetic energy of the two-object system.