PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF LINEAR MOMENTUM

EXPERIMENT PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF LINEAR MOMENTUM Objective: To verify the principle of conservation of linear momentum. Theory: Linear momentum, p is a vector quantity defined as the product of mass and velocity. For a body mass, m and velocity, v; its momentum is given as p = mv. In the absence of external force, that is, in an isolated system, the total momentum of the system is constant. In other words, the total momentum is conserved. This is known as the Principle of Conservation of Linear Momentum. Applying the Principle of Conservation of Linear Momentum in collision, the total momentum of the colliding bodies remains the same before and after the collision. Let m1 and m2 be the masses of two colliding bodies (i.e body 1 and body 2) as shown in Figure 3.1 and u1, u2, v1 and v2 are the velocities before and after the collision of the body 1 and body 2 respectively. We may write this as: m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2 since momentum is a vector quantity, the principle of conservation of linear momentum is equally true in both x-axis and y-axis direction. In the case of an oblique impact, we resolve the momentum into x-axis and y-axis and we may write the equation as: x-axis and y-axis 0 = m1v1 sin m2v2 sin m1u1 = m1v1 cos + m2v2 cos

a) head-on-collision

Figure 3.1 In the experiment, we shall study the collision between two ball bearings on a curved track. The first ball bearings is released from the top of the track so that it gains momentum m1u1 before it hits the second ball bearing which is stationary at the horizontal end of the track.

Ball bearing 1

Curved track Horizontal end

Table

R Figure 3.2a

Ball bearing 1

Ball bearing 2

Table

Carbon paper Figure 3.2b Let h be the height of the ball bearing 1 from the falling point to the ground when it starts to fall freely and R is its horizontal displacement. If t is the time of flight, then from the kinematics equation, we may write:

-h = 0 + (-g) t2 t = 2h/g

The horizontal displacement of the ball bearing, R = uxt Where ux = u = velocity of the ball bearing as it reach the horizontal track end R = u2h/g

Thus,

u = Rg/2h

3.4

Evidently, the velocity of the ball bearing is directly proportional to its horizontal displacement, R. Since the balls fall from the same height, by substituting equations 3.2 and 3.3 respectivelyninto equation 3.4, we may write: x-axis and y-axis 0 = m1y1 m2y2 3.6 m1x0 = m1x1 + m2x2 3.5

Evidently, if equation 3.5 and 3.6 are practically satisfied, the principle of conservation of linear momentum is thus verified.

Apparatus: 1. A level table 2. A curved track 3. 2 ball bearings (diameter of 1.0 cm) 4. A piece of string 5. A pendulum bob 6. A meter rule 7. A piece of drawing paper (A3) 8. A piece of carbon paper (A4) 9. A retort stand Carbon Paper Curved Track Pendulum Landing point of ball bearing 1

m1 R1 R2 x1 Table x2 x0 y1

y2

Table 3.3

Procedure: 1. The mass of the two ball bearing,m1 and m2 was weigh. 2. The apparatus was set up as in Figure 3.2a. 3. The ball bearing 1 was released from a certain height on the curved track shown as point A in figure. This position was marked on the track. 4. The ball bearing 1 was released from point A. 5. In order to place the carbon paper on top of a drawing paper, the landing point of ball bearing 1 on the floor was observed. 6. The ball bearing 1 was released from point A and the distance from the pendulum to the landing point of ball bearing 1, x0 was measured. This step was repeated to obtain at least 5 readings and the average value of x0 were calculated. 7. The ball bearing 2 was placed on the end of the horizontal track slightly off the path of ball bearing 1 so that an oblique collision occurs. 8. The ball bearing 1 was released from point A (Refer to Figure 3.2b). These two ball bearings will subsequently collide and fall freely in a projectile motion. 9. The position of landing points for each ball bearing i.e. x1,x2,y1 and y2 were measured.(Refer to Figure 3.3) 10. Step 8 was repeated for at least another four times. 11. Tabulate the data.

Observation: Height of point A : (46.0 0.1) cm Mass of ball bearing 1 : (28.27 0.01) g Mass of ball bearing 2 : (16.71 0.01) g

Reading

Distance from the pendulum to the landing point,x0 ( 0.1) cm

1 2 3 4 5 Average Table 1

78.0 78.8 79.0 79.5 80.5 79.2

Reading 1 2 3 4 5 Average

Ball bearing 1 X1(0.1) cm Y1(0.1) cm 29.7 2.2 30.6 2.6 30.8 1.8 31.6 1.7 31.3 2.7 30.8 2.2 Table 2

Ball bearing 2 X2(0.1) cm Y2(0.1) cm 78.4 3.7 81.7 3.4 84.0 3.6 81.5 4.1 83.4 3.7 81.8 3.7

Calculation: In order to prove that the experiment verify the principle of conservation of linear momentum, we used equation 3.5 and 3.6 to calculate the results. For x-axis, m1x0 = m1x1 + m2x2 = (870.716) + (1366.878) = (2237.594)

(28.27)(79.2) = (28.27)(30.8) + (16.71)(81.8) (2238.984) (2238.984) Thus, 2238.984 2237.594 And for the y-axis, 0 = m1y1 m2y2 0 = (28.27)(2.2) (16.71)(3.7) 0 = (62.194) (61.827) 0 = 0.367 Thus, 0 0.367

So, both equation does not verify the principle of conservation of linear momentum. Discussion : The result cannot be obtained due to some error such as air resistance. This is because the experiment was handled in the room. The result was tempered and not accurate. To get the correct result the experiment should be carry out in the vacuum medium. In the vacuum medium, there was no air resistance and another force that react on the experiment. The error also happens when taking the measurement using the metre rule. The metre rule is not so accurate and not very sensitive. The point is only 0.1. So, the calculation will never be accurate Besides that, the collision of the ball bearing will never same as stated in the theory due to some limitation. Lastly try to reduce the errors by using the zero parallax error instrument. Conclusion