Inelastic Collisions

Lab Pictures

Lab Instructions

Turn In

Format for All Lab Reports

Lab Pictures

Launch using the rubber band		Projectile on left, target on right	Scale	Timer

Lab Requirements

The two objects are referred to as projectile (one that is given a velocity - the one with the pin in front) and target (one that is initially stationary - one that the pin of the projectile goes into).

 

n Place the timer flag into the receptacle on the top of the projectile.

n Pull the projectile all the way back against the rubber bands and release it.

n Calculate the velocity of the projectile using the timer- set to gate. Do this 3 times to get an average velocity

n Place the target appropriately as discussed in class

n Time the projectile-target combination to get a velocity

n Gather any other data need to accomplish the requirement.

n Compare the momentum before and after the inelastic collision

 

Turn In

 

n All data collected - in a neat and easily understandable format

n Placement of the projectile and target and rationale

       For determination of velocity

       For use after the collision

n The results of your calculations

 

Format for All Lab Reports

 

1. Problem statement: Clear statement of what you are trying to do

2. Hypothesis: Suggested explanation of the observed phenomenon

3. Approach: Short summary of how you plan to solve the problem.

4. Data recorded: data obtained from the experiment - turn in your initialed data sheet.

5. Analysis of the data: What the data means

6. Conclusion:

    a.  Conclusions drawn from above analysis

    b. Possible sources of error.

     c. Suggestions for future work in this area.