I need an explanation for this Physics question to help me study.
This lab demonstrates conservation of momentum. Momentum is the product of the mass and velocity of a moving object. Studying momentum helps physicists understand the relationship between the motions of two interacting objects.
First, design an experiment you could construct that might measure conservation of momentum.
What materials would you use?
What would you measure?
What results would you expect?
What if the results were different; what would that indicate?
Write down your answers; this information will be a part of your lab write-up that you submit to your teacher.
Developing a Hypothesis:
In this experiment, you will study the momentum of two balls with various masses. The balls will be pushed toward each other and undergo either elastic or inelastic collisions. You will set the mass and velocity of the balls prior to the collision in order to compare the momentum before and after the balls move apart.
Create hypotheses of what you think the results of this experiment will be.
How will the momentum of the balls change before and after the collision?
What differences can you expect between inelastic and elastic collisions?
Defend your hypotheses with your knowledge of momentum. Your answers will be a part of your lab write-up that you submit to your teacher.