Impulse equals Change in momentum
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is to show that impulse equals the change in momentum.
Theory
Impulse- the change in linear momentum of a body, found taking area under a curve
Momentum- the product of mass and velocity
Momentum- the product of mass and velocity
Experimental Technique
The first thing we did is let the cart roll down the track from different heights. Then we attached equipment to the computer, and we were able to find the velocity. Next using a force sensor, we measured the force of the cart hitting a soft spring, hard spring, and a rubber bumper. Finally we found the impulse by finding the area under the curve, and found the momentum by using the momentum formula stated above in the Theory section. Lastly we put all the data into a table and found the percent differences.
Data & Analysis
This graph represents the raw data for the heavy spring.
This graph represents the raw data collected for the soft spring.
This graph represents the raw data collected for the rubber bumper.
Below is a data table of the soft spring, hard spring, and the rubber bumper. Also there is and equation for the change in momentum for the soft spring to show that impulse equals the change in momentum.
Conclusion
The purpose of this lab was to prove that impulse is equal to change in momentum. We attempted to prove it by using an experiment with a cart and motion sensors to calculate impulse and change in momentum. We took many samples and ended up using only the best results we had. We did come close to proving that impulse was equal to the change in momentum. the percent difference ranged for one to twenty percent. Sensor glitches and the angle of the incline could have possibly contributed to higher percent differences.