Pasco Scientific ME-6956, Instruction Manual And Experiment Manual

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8
PAScar Accessory Track Set (2.2 Meter) 012-07558A
®
3. Push the plunger release button with a short stick and watch the two cars move to the ends
of the track. Experiment with different starting positions until the two cars reach their
respective ends of the track at the same time. Then weigh the two cars and record the
masses and the starting position in Table 1.1.
CASE 1: CARS OF EQUAL MASS (Use two cars without any additional mass bars.)
CASE 2:
CARS OF UNEQUAL MASS (Put one mass bar in one car, none in the other.)
CASE 3:
CARS OF UNEQUAL MASS (Put two mass bars in one car, none in the other.)
CASE 4: CARS OF UNEQUAL MASS (Put two mass bars in one car, one mass bar in
the other.)
Table 1.1
Data Analysis
1. For each of the cases, calculate the distances traveled from the starting position to the end
of the track. Record the result in Table 1.1.
2. Calculate the ratio of the distances traveled and record in the table.
3. Calculate the ratio of the masses and record in the table.
Questions
1. Does the ratio of the distances equal the ratio of the masses in each of the cases? In other
words, is momentum conserved?
2. When cars of unequal masses push away from each other, which car has more momentum?
3. When the cars of unequal masses push away from each other, which car has more kinetic
energy?
4. Is the starting position dependent on which car has its plunger cocked? Why?
Mass 1 Mass 2 Position x
1
x
2
x
1
/x
2
m
2
/m
1