Momentum
From Algodoo
Momentum
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Description: | The conservation of momentum is a very important aspect to physics and a fairly hard one to grasp. This lab is designed to help students visualize how momentum is passed from one object to the next. |
| Target: | Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5 |
| Category: | Laboratory |
| Discipline: | Friction, Motion, Momentum |
| Learning objectives: |
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| In class: | Students should have a basic idea of what momentum is as well as how to calculate it before engaging this lab activity.
Have students make a prediction as to what the conservation of momentum is and what it means inside a closed system. As a class, have students discuss their answers and explain why and how they came to that idea. During discussion, guide students towards the true definition of conservation of momentum. Discuss what it means to have a closed system and how that affects the law of conservation of momentum. Be sure students fully understand what a closed system is and why it is important to always work with closed systems. Lastly, have students revisit their predictions and encourage them to use the Create – Predict –Interact – Evaluate. |
Steps in Algodoo
CREATE A SCENE
Open ‘Momentum Lab’ scene above.
MAKE A PREDICTION
Have students look at their initial predictions of the law of conservation of momentum and design a method of how they can test their predictions using the given blocks and launchers.
RUN/INTERACT
Start by loading the lightest block into the launcher. While watching the information box for that block, release the block by pulling down the release lever. As it slides, make note of the objects velocity and its momentum. Place the bock back in the launcher. Now place the 20 Kg block on the blue mark and launch the green block towards it. Note the velocity and momentum of each block before and after the collision. What do you notice about these values? Try the same process with several other block combinations. Try it with three blocks or even all four.
EVALUATE
The only source of momentum in this simulation should be from the spring launcher (indicating a closed system). Thus, the amount of momentum given to the fist block should equal the amount of momentum of all the blocks present at any time after the collision. These values should be nearly exact. If you know how much momentum each block has and its mass, students should be able to calculate the velocity of each block.
REVISE SCENE
Now try changing the restitution of one of the blocks by right-clicking on it under the materials section.
MAKE A PREDICTION
Make a prediction regarding how much momentum will be passed from block to block.
