Activity I. Collision along a Straight Line

1.  Determine the percentage difference in the energy before and after the collision, and enter the result in cell E46. Using the 10% criterion, would you say that energy is conserved? Type the result in cell E47.

2.  Calculate the angle that the total momentum vector makes by taking the inverse tangent of the y-momentum divided by the x-momentum. Enter the result in cell E52.

3.  Estimate the uncertainty in conservation of total momentum by comparing the slope of the total momentum curve times the total elapsed time on the plot with the value of the momentum (the y-intercept). If it is equal to or less than 10% you can conclude that momentum is conserved. Use this criterion to answer the question in cell E54.

Activity II. Collision at an Angle: Equal Masses

4.  Determine the percentage difference in the energy before and after the collision, and enter the result in cell E94. Using the 10% criterion, would you say that energy is conserved? Type the result in cell E95.

5.  Calculate the angle that the total momentum vector makes by taking the inverse tangent of the y-momentum divided by the x-momentum. Enter the result in cell E100.

6.  Estimate the uncertainty in conservation of total momentum by comparing the slope of the total momentum curve times the total elapsed time on the plot with the value of the momentum (the y-intercept). If it is equal to or less than 10% you can conclude that momentum is conserved. Use this criterion to answer the question in cell E102.

Activity III. Collision at an Angle: Unequal Masses

7.  Determine the percentage difference in the energy before and after the collision, and enter the result in cell E140. Using the 10% criterion, would you say that energy is conserved? Type the result in cell E141.

8.  Calculate the angle that the total momentum vector makes by taking the inverse tangent of the y-momentum divided by the x-momentum. Enter the result in cell E146.

9.  Estimate the uncertainty in conservation of total momentum by comparing the slope of the total momentum curve times the total elapsed time on the plot with the value of the momentum (the y-intercept). If it is equal to or less than 10% you can conclude that momentum is conserved. Use this criterion to answer the question in cell E148.

10.  Answer Question 1 in the space indicated.

11.  Obtain a printout of your Worksheet and use it to develop your report if needed.