Linear Momentum Lab Activity
Page 11 of 12
As we have already mentioned, because the mass of a system typically remains unchanged, a change in momentum of a system is typically a change in velocity for the system. In addition, we know the impulse formula as shown below.
Now, we are going to use an egg toss to demonstrate a change in momentum of a system. An egg toss is a competition in which each team of two members tosses an egg back an forth. Each time the egg is thrown from one partner to the other, the teammates move farther apart. The team which keeps its egg from breaking the longest wins the egg toss contest.
Let's imagine our system is the egg which is being thrown, and let's imagine the egg is moving towards you after your partner has thrown the egg to you. Note: We are assuming wind resistance is negligible. As you catch the egg, you change its momentum because you change its velocity without changing its mass.
As we know, because you change the momentum of the egg as you catch it, you must impart an impulse upon the egg. In addition, we know that if you impart an impulse upon the egg, you do so by exerting a force on the egg over some period of time.
As you watch the egg toss video (online students) or as you compete in the egg toss (seated students), you should consider that the goal of the egg toss is to keep from breaking your egg while you slow the egg down (change its momentum). You should also pay attention to what you must do while catching the egg to keep it from breaking, and you should determine what this has to do with the formula change in momentum is equal to force multiplied by time.
Let's imagine our system is the egg which is being thrown, and let's imagine the egg is moving towards you after your partner has thrown the egg to you. Note: We are assuming wind resistance is negligible. As you catch the egg, you change its momentum because you change its velocity without changing its mass.
As we know, because you change the momentum of the egg as you catch it, you must impart an impulse upon the egg. In addition, we know that if you impart an impulse upon the egg, you do so by exerting a force on the egg over some period of time.
As you watch the egg toss video (online students) or as you compete in the egg toss (seated students), you should consider that the goal of the egg toss is to keep from breaking your egg while you slow the egg down (change its momentum). You should also pay attention to what you must do while catching the egg to keep it from breaking, and you should determine what this has to do with the formula change in momentum is equal to force multiplied by time.
Physics and Online Physical Science Students: Watch this video before continuing.
|
Seated Students: Follow the egg-toss instructions below. |
Before you move on, make sure you review some examples of impulse changing momentum from the "Momentum and Impulse" reading assignment. Click HERE to review impulse changing momentum (four pages).