Momentum project
The purpose of the experiment was to learn how to determine whether momentum was conserved. We also learned how to calculate momentum and if it was conserved.
Materials: cart(2), rubberbands(3 each test), spark timer /ST tape, and standard school supplies.
1. Set up carts and spark timers
2. Add rubber bands to carts
3. Set carts. Start ST
4. Cut bands.
5. Analyse data.
6. Calculate momentum.
Data:
Materials: cart(2), rubberbands(3 each test), spark timer /ST tape, and standard school supplies.
1. Set up carts and spark timers
2. Add rubber bands to carts
3. Set carts. Start ST
4. Cut bands.
5. Analyse data.
6. Calculate momentum.
Data:
Analysis:
Conclusion:
The reason we learned conservation of momentum is that it can be used on any physical object. In our experiment, friction was a factor that was neglected so the data was off. We also learned the usefulness of this kind of physics in real life situations. The experiment was insightful but the concepts were hard to grasp and the project itself was not very conclusive.
- The momentum should have been conserved but my data was not conclusive.
- The momentum values were not the same and that might have occurred during a slight mishap.
- More tests. don’t let Heershap touch the experiment (usually ends in explosion).
Conclusion:
The reason we learned conservation of momentum is that it can be used on any physical object. In our experiment, friction was a factor that was neglected so the data was off. We also learned the usefulness of this kind of physics in real life situations. The experiment was insightful but the concepts were hard to grasp and the project itself was not very conclusive.
RocketsFUN with Physics!
10/28/12 Reflection
The exhibition was fun there were a lot of cool rockets and some innovative ideas. Lots of people came to the exhibition to watch the rockets fly/fail. Luckily only one rocket exploded and no one got hurt. The launch pad crew did very well on setting up and launching rockets. The part of the exhibition that was not good at all was the strong wind which caused most of the rockets to stop working. It also was very cold so that might have had an effect on the rockets. There were also some problems with the destroyer2 release pins which caused the launch pad to fall over. Another problem was the crowd got in the way of the people finding the height of each rocket launch. Our rocket was one of those that didn’t work. The rocket didn't work because the wind put too much stress on the stage decupler. It also stopped the parachute from working. The decupler mechanism has a pin connected to string and the string got ripped when the rocket launched. The fins on the tardis2 were also angled in weird ways which might have caused some problems. On the launch pad the launch crew was afraid that my rocket would explode in their hands. Then I had a hard time tying the decupler string to the launch pad. When the rocket was ready to go we launched it then the wind blew it sideways and it fell apart then hit the ground. After that I was really unhappy about how our rocket turned out. Over all it was a fun experience and the exhibition was exciting. Although I wish that there was no wind or cold air. Another disappointment is how all the good rockets are the ones that got destroyed. It was funny how the winner from last year was the one that got blown up. Those are my thoughts on the exhibition. |
Physics Behind the RocketsNewtons first law of physics is what propelled our rocket up. It flew in a straight line because of the force put upon it after blast off vectoring it in an upward direction.
The acceleration of our rocket was proportional to Force put on after launch. The acceleration of the rocket is also inversely purported to the mass of the rocket being accelerated. The equation to represent this is [F=ma]. The rocket is propelled by Newtons 3rd law. The 3rd law dictates that forces come in pairs. This effects our rocket by when it is pressured that is force applied to all surfaces when the rocket is released it unbalances the force in the rocket and it flies upward. As seen, all of these forces combined show how a rocket flies. |