Using two billiard balls, in 3-4 sentences, design an experiment to demonstrate the law of conservation of momentum, including example calculations and measurements or an explanation of how to determine them

Answer 1

To demonstrate the law of conservation of momentum using two billiard balls, set up a frictionless surface (such as a smooth table) and place one ball (Ball A) stationary and the other (Ball B) moving towards it with a known velocity. Measure the mass of both balls, typically around 0.16 kg for a standard billiard ball. Upon collision, measure the velocities of both balls after the collision using a high-speed camera or a motion sensor.

For example, if Ball A (mass = 0.16 kg) is initially at rest and Ball B (mass = 0.16 kg) strikes it with a velocity of 2 m/s, the initial momentum is \( m_B \cdot v_B = 0.16 , \text{kg} \cdot 2 , \text{m/s} = 0.32 , \text{kg m/s} \). After the collision, measure the resulting speeds (e.g., Ball A moves at 1 m/s and Ball B at 1 m/s). The total final momentum will be \( (m_A \cdot v_A) + (m_B \cdot v_B) = (0.16 \cdot 1) + (0.16 \cdot 1) = 0.32 , \text{kg m/s} \). This confirms that momentum is conserved, as the total momentum before the collision equals the total momentum after the collision.

Answer 2

in 3 sentences

Answer 3

To demonstrate the law of conservation of momentum, set up two billiard balls on a frictionless surface where Ball A is stationary, and Ball B is rolled toward it at a known velocity (e.g., 2 m/s). Measure the masses (typically 0.16 kg each) and calculate the initial momentum as \(0.16 , \text{kg} \cdot 2 , \text{m/s} = 0.32 , \text{kg m/s}\). After the collision, measure the velocities of both balls; if Ball A moves at 1 m/s and Ball B at 1 m/s, their total post-collision momentum is also \(0.32 , \text{kg m/s}\), demonstrating that momentum is conserved.

Answer 4

like a 9th grader

Answer 5

To show that momentum is conserved using two billiard balls, place one ball (Ball A) at rest and roll a second ball (Ball B) toward it with a speed you can measure, like 2 m/s. Both balls have the same mass, about 0.16 kg, so you calculate the momentum of Ball B before the crash as \(0.16 , \text{kg} \times 2 , \text{m/s} = 0.32 , \text{kg m/s}\). After they collide, measure their new speeds; if Ball A moves at 1 m/s and Ball B at 1 m/s, their total momentum after the collision is also \(0.32 , \text{kg m/s}\), showing that momentum is conserved.