University:
Monmouth University
Course:
PH-101 | Physics in Our Lives
Academic year:

2023
Views:

368

Pages:

4
Author:

Junior Olsen

Collisions PHET Lab Our goal for this lab is to get the best performance in an online test-and-trial simulation that lets us test and experience collisions like they would happen in real life. Computer Phet Simulation is what you need. Step 1: Log in to your personal computer. Step 2: Go to the PHET simulation site online. Step 3: Type "collision lab" into the search bar. 2.01 Check that the right information is on the screen. Step 5: Guess the masses and speeds of objects 1 and 2 before and after they hit each other. The site will take you to a collision simulation. Click "Play" to begin the simulation with different masses. Step 6: Do it again for three tries Step 7: Write down and look over data Data: Predictions Mass (kg) Velocity initial (m/s) Momentum final kg*m/s Velocity final (m/s) Ball 1 0.5 1 -0.25 -0.50 Ball 2 1.5 0 0.75 0.50 Trial 1 - 100% Elasticity (conservation of energy) Mass (kg) Velocity initial (m/s) Momentum final kg*m/s Velocity final (m/s) Ball 1 0.5 1 -0.25 -0.50 Ball 2 1.5 0 0.75 0.50 Trial 2 Mass (kg) Velocity initial (m/s) Momentum final kg*m/s Velocity final (m/s) Ball 1 1.0 1 0 0 Ball 2 1.0 0 1 1 Trial 3 Mass (kg) Velocity initial (m/s) Momentum final kg*m/s Velocity final (m/s) Ball 1 2.0 1 0.33 1.33 Ball 2 1.0 0 0.67 1.33 Calculations: 𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣 𝑛 𝑝Total, before = ∑ 𝑝I, before = 𝑝1, before + 𝑝2, before 𝑖=1 𝑝 Ratio of total momentums = 𝑝 Total, after Total, before Results: Our guesses were right on the money. In general, we were able to get the real-world information we needed in the lab. In this lab, there weren't many things that could go wrong. In the PHET lab, the computer does everything perfectly. However, the person who used the software may have typed in the wrong value, which led to wrong results. To sum up, the main goal was reached by using and watching the collisions PHET simulation and finishing it successfully. This taught how mass, speed, and time affect what happens when two objects hit each other. It was very helpful to do this lab because it helped me understand how mass and volume affect collisions in real life.