Lab 3:
Winter 2004
Two-Dimensional Momentum Conservation
Consider the multiflash photograph of a collision of two billiard
balls. Assume that the time interval between flashes is .1 second.
Do the measurements below reasonably carefully.
- Choose a coordinate system. (A clever choice will make the
problem a little easier.)
- Determine the velocity vectors for each of the balls before and
after the collision. Write the vector as both a magnitude and
direction and in component form.
- Determine the momentum of the system before and after the
collision. Write your answer as both a magnitude and direction and in
component form.
- Is momentum conserved?
Dimensional Analysis
From P. Tipler, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Third
edition, Worth Publishers, 1991.
- The period T of a simple pendulum depends on the length L of
the pendulum and the strength of earth's gravitational field g.
Find a simple combination of L and g that has the dimensions of
time.
- Check the dependence of the period T on the length L by
measuring the period for three different values of L. (The period
T is defined as the time for a complete to-and-fro swing.)
- The correct formula involves a numerical factor that is
dimensionless and hence can't be obtained by dimensional analysis.
Using your data from the above question, estimate the value of the
numerical factor.
[Dave]
[Physics I]
[COA]
Web page maintained by dave@hornacek.coa.edu.