Question

In this section of the laboratory, we will investigate different types of collisions between carts using a force sensor to measure the forces during the collisions. Collisions will include a large number of different situations varying the masses of the two carts, the cart speeds, and also the cart directions. Watch the following movie which shows a demonstration of Newton’s 3^rd Law with the motion carts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NHWQsNw0i4&feature=youtu.be

1. What can you conclude about the forces involved in the collision?

2. Does it matter if one or both of the carts are moving?

3. Include sample graphs of force versus time for each of the carts.

Answer 1

• we understand the newton's third law of motion which states that for every action of force there is an equal and opposite reaction no matter the mass, relative velocity or position of the interacting objects.
• acceleration during the collision depends on the mass (inversely) but the force remains constant because of newton's third law of motion.
• the velocity of the carts doesn't matter because the interacting force between the two masses is the same.