ENG1081 report W3: Momentum & Impulse

(Method)
Q1. State clearly how you have independently measured the change in momentum of the carts and the impulse
delivered to the carts, and any assumptions you made in order to do these measurements. Comment on the validity
of these assumptions.

The impulse delivered to the carts was determined using the computer program. Using the plot of the Force against
time graph, and the area under graph tool, we recorded the impulse delivered to the carts to be equal to 0.35Ns.

The change is momentum of the carts was independently measured by using the velocity against time graph. The
change is calculated by finding the difference between final momentum and initial momentum. This provided us the
change in momentum from calculations which we used to compare against the Impulse provided by the area under
the graph.

The underlying assumptions made to complete these measurements were the exclusion of dissipative forces such as
friction or simply considering them to be negligible, and the fact that the collision between the carts was an elastic
collision. These assumptions are deemed to be valid under the fact that we were dealing with sensitive equipment
with no means of detecting any dissipative forces.

(Results/Conclusions)
Q2. Compare qualitatively (e.g. with uncertainties) the impulse and momentum change for each of the three objects.
What can you conclude about the relationship between the impulse an object receives and the change in the object’s
momentum that impulse causes?

Calculations: A) change in momentum = pf – pi = m x vf – m x vi = 0.25 x -0.67 – 0.25 x 0.68 = -0.34 kgm/s

Uncertainty calculation: u(v)= 0.1ms-1 and thus u(Δv) = 0.2ms-1
u(m)= 0.01kg
Thus: u(Δp) = 0.3375 x ((0.01/0.25) + (0.2/1.35)) = 0.0635

Therefore, the change in momentum calculated was Δp=0.34 ± 0.06kgm/s

The impulse for all three objects was found using the area under graph tool on the computer program which was
calculated to be 0.35Ns for the Light Spring, 0.35Ns for the Heavy Spring, and 0.28Ns for the Rubber Stopper. From
these results, we can conclude that the impulse an object receives and the change in the object’s momentum that
impulse causes are equal.

(Further Discussion/Investigation)
Q3. How does the rubber stopper compare to the springs? What differences do you note and how can you explain
them?

While the Light Spring and the Heavy Spring both led to relatively same results, which could have been due to errors
in the measurement or the balance of the ramp, the Rubber Stopper results were quite significantly different to the
Springs. While the maximum Force recorded in the collision for the Light and Heavy Springs was 6.35N and 14.7N
respectively, the Rubber Stopper had a Maximum Force of 47.62N. The Rubber Stopper also had the lowest time
duration of the collision and since the equation is F=Δp/Δt, the lower time duration can explain the large change in
Force. These changes can be explained by the fact that the time duration of the collision in the springs comprises of
the time taken for the springs to compress and then return to their original position as it applies a force on to the cart.
Since the Rubber Stopper does not have springs, the time duration of the collision is much lower than the springs
which leads to a larger F.

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