Conservation of Momentum- Help with sources of erorrs?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on identifying sources of error in a lab experiment designed to verify the law of conservation of momentum. The experiment involved colliding two masses on a frictionless glass surface and measuring time to calculate initial and final momentums. Key sources of error identified include measurement uncertainty, air friction, friction with the glass surface, and energy loss during the collision. Participants emphasized the importance of recognizing all potential factors that could affect the accuracy of the results.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the law of conservation of momentum
  • Familiarity with basic physics concepts related to collisions
  • Knowledge of measurement uncertainty and its implications
  • Experience with experimental design and analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of air resistance on moving objects
  • Explore the principles of energy conservation in collisions
  • Learn about different types of collisions: elastic vs. inelastic
  • Investigate methods to minimize measurement uncertainty in experiments
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators conducting lab experiments, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of experimental physics and error analysis.

TaintedLove
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Hey everyone. In class, we conducted a lab to verify the law of conservation of momentum. On a frictionless surface (glass surface), we had to collide two masses and record the time, and then make calculations for the velocity... and using that, calculate the initial and final momentums and determine what type of collision had taken place. I'm having difficulty thinking of sources of errors for this lab... any help please? I'm not at all bright in physics so I'm having a lot of difficulty.. could there be air friction somehow? Something to do with the masses colliding? I don't know :(

The apparatus of our lab was as follows: http://i49.tinypic.com/2zyzb5c.png
 
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Well, any time you measure something, there's always some error a.k.a. uncertainty involved because of the limits of your measurement device. So that's a start. Also, any factors you didn't account for could potentially be considered sources of error. That includes air friction as well as friction with the glass, and any energy released during the collision. Can you think of where else energy might have gone?
 

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