Attempting to graph momentum help

  • Context: High School 
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    Graph Momentum
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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on how to graph momentum in a way that represents it as a linear slope. Participants explore the relationship between momentum, mass, and velocity, and seek to find a suitable method for visualizing this relationship using collected data.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to graph momentum as a linear slope, indicating they have data on velocity, mass, and time but are unsure how to represent momentum graphically.
  • Another participant questions the intent behind the graph, suggesting that since momentum is already calculated as mv, the graph may not be necessary.
  • A participant clarifies their intention to show momentum as the gradient of the slope and describes their experimental setup, including measuring time and mass for two trolleys in motion.
  • The participant mentions conducting multiple trials with varying mass and consistent force, aiming to derive velocity and subsequently momentum.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on how to graph momentum effectively, and participants express differing views on the necessity and method of creating such a graph.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks clarity on the specific relationships between the variables and how they can be manipulated to achieve a desired graphical representation of momentum. There are also unresolved questions regarding the measurements taken and their implications for the graph.

Owatch
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What I am trying to do right now is graph momentum as a linear slope on a graph.
What I know is:

p = mv

Now, I've collected data giving me the velocity of the object, and I also have the mass. Now All I am trying to do is figure out a way to graph this.

I've tried 1/p= 1/(mv) but of course all I get is a horizontal line for a slope at 1.

What I need to do is somehow make one of these variables proportional to each other in order for me to be able to derive momentum from the graph, even having the area under the graph being = to momentum would be fine.

I'm pretty stumped. I can't think of anyway I can get a proper graph that would show me momentum. At least one with a slope.

Can anybody help me out here?

I have: velocity, time, displacement, and mass as data for this.
 
Last edited:
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It's not clear what you intend to show with your graph. The momentum is given by mv, so if you have the velocity you have the momentum.

What exactly did you measure?
 
@DocAl

I intend to show P in the graph as the gradient of the slope, or line. I know I have momentum already, I just have to represent it in a graph. Where the gradient will be P, the thing is, I can't exactly find any possible way to do it.

I measured the time it took for a trolley to cross a certain distance after being propelled with the same amount of force. (I took 5 trials). As well as the time it took for the trolley it collided into to travel the rest of the track distance.

Because I know the mass's of both trolleys, and the force propelling the first is always constant. I can derive V from S/t and then use p = mv to get momentum.

So I measured the time it took for the trolley and the one it hit to cover a set distance. As well as the mass's of both trolleys, which were identical.

I repeated this in 7 different intervals. Where I added more mass to each trolley. And did the same 5 time trials.
 
Forgot to use the reply button, reply is above ^
 

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