When two carts collide, we know that the total momentum of thesystem should be conserved, as long as there are no external forcesacting on the system. That is, Pi =Pf, where Pi and Pf arethe total momenta before and after the collision, respectively.
TOTALLY INELASTIC COLLISIONS
A. Carts with Equal Mass
Orient the carts so their Velcro bumpers faceeach other. In the collisions they MUSTstick together.
1. Place one cart at rest in the middle of the track. Give theother cart an initial velocity toward the cart at rest.
2. Start with both carts at opposite ends of the track and pushthem toward each other with about the same speed.
3. Start with both carts at the same end. Give the first cart aslow initial speed, and the second a faster speed so it catches thefirst about half way down the track.
B. Carts with Unequal Mass
4. Place two mass bars on one of the carts. Now its mass isabout 3 times the mass of the other cart. Put the 3M cart at restin the middle of the track and push the other toward it.
5. Put the 1M cart in the middle and push the 3M cart towardit.
6. Start the carts at different ends of the track. Give themabout the same speed toward each other.
7. Start both carts at the same end of the track. Give the 1M aslow speed, and the 3M a faster speed so that it collides with thefirst.
8. Start both carts at the same end of the track. Now give the3M a slow speed, and the 1M a faster speed so that it collides withthe first.
ELASTIC COLLISIONS
A. Carts with Equal Mass
Orient the carts so their magnetic bumpers faceeach other. The carts MUST bounce withouthitting.
1. Place one cart at rest in the middle of the track. Give theother cart an initial velocity toward the cart at rest.
2. Start with both carts at opposite ends ofthe track and push them toward each other with about the samespeed.
3. Start with both carts at the same end. Give the first cart aslow initial speed, and the second a faster speed so it catches thefirst about half way down the track.
B. Carts with Unequal Mass
4. Place two mass bars on one of the carts. Now its mass isabout 3 times the mass of the other cart. Put the 3M cart at restin the middle of the track and push the other toward it.
5. Put the 1M cart in the middle and push the other towardit.
6. Start the carts at opposite ends of the track. Give themabout the same speed toward each other.
7. Start both carts at the same end of the track. Give the 1M aslow speed, and the 3M a faster speed so that it collides with thefirst.
8. Start both carts at the same end of the track. Now give the3M a slow speed, and the 1M a faster speed so that it collides withthe first.
