11
4.
Inelastic interaction
-
Set up the same configuration as before, but this time equip the two
gliders with the hook and loop accessories (2 x 2 g).
-
Position the first glider on the launcher and the second stopped in the
middle of the track.
-
Measure the velocity of the first glider (before the impact).
This gives you the initial momentum:
𝑝
0
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑚
1
∗ 𝑣
0
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
-
Measure the velocity of the 2-glider assembly after the impact.
To do this, place the photogates after the second glider, from which
the barrier rod has been removed.
You can then calculate the momentum of the 1st glider after the
impact:
𝑝
1
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = (𝑚
1
+ 𝑚
2
) ∗ 𝑣
1
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
-
This demonstrates that the momentum is conserved:
𝑝
0
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑝
1
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
-
This gives:
𝑣
1
= 𝑣
0
∗
𝑚
1
𝑚
1
+ 𝑚
2
