How Can a Pendulum Help Demonstrate Momentum Conservation?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a project focused on the conservation of momentum using a pendulum, specifically exploring the dynamics of a Newton's Cradle. The original poster shares calculations related to energy and velocity changes during collisions, while seeking additional insights and equations to enhance their understanding of the topic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy in inelastic collisions, with the original poster seeking further calculations and insights related to the pendulum's behavior. Questions arise about determining the time it takes for the pendulum to come to rest and the implications of energy loss in real-world scenarios.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the concepts of momentum and energy conservation. Some have provided equations and observations related to energy loss during collisions, while others are exploring the complexities of predicting the pendulum's stopping time. There is a recognition of the challenges involved in modeling real versus ideal scenarios.

Contextual Notes

There is an acknowledgment of the inelastic nature of the collisions and the resulting energy loss, which complicates predictions about the pendulum's motion over time. The original poster expresses a need for more information and equations to deepen their analysis.

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We were told to make our own project, i chose to base mine on the conservation of momentum and used the pendulum.
Though I am kind of stuck, i need more things to write about and more equations i can calculate using the pedulum.

all i have so far is
E=mgh
H1=0.145m (90dgrs)
M=0.045kg

E=0.045x9.8x0.145
E=0.063945 J

1/m(v^2)
v^2=0.063945x2/0.045
v=1.685ms^-2

so that's the velocity of my first ball on 90 degrees.
and when that ball hit the ball on the other side went up 0.11m (11cm)
so;
H2=0.11
m=0.045

done same equations as before and got v=1.468ms^-2

so now i can only prove that the velocity changes to 1.468 from 1.685.
and that its inelastic because it changes, if you know what i mean.
i need more things that i can work with, more things i can try and find out with the pendulum. and how can i find out how long it will take before the pendulum will come to rest.
help anyone?
 
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Newton's Cradle exhibits two of the conservation laws: Conservation of momentum, as we easily see by pulling one ball to the side and releasing, and Conservation of Kinetic Energy in an Inelastic collision, which we can observe by pulling up two adjacent balls to the side at once and releasing. Rather than one ball moving at twice the velocity, which would still satisfy the conservation of momentum, two balls swing. Try use the equations for the conversation of kinetic energy in inelastic collisions to show why this must occur.
 
Gib Z said:
Newton's Cradle exhibits two of the conservation laws: Conservation of momentum, as we easily see by pulling one ball to the side and releasing, and Conservation of Kinetic Energy in an Inelastic collision, which we can observe by pulling up two adjacent balls to the side at once and releasing. Rather than one ball moving at twice the velocity, which would still satisfy the conservation of momentum, two balls swing. Try use the equations for the conversation of kinetic energy in inelastic collisions to show why this must occur.

So for kinetic energy.
The first ball.
Ek=0.5x0.045x1.685^2
Ek=0.063833

The second ball.
Ek=0.5x0.045x1.46833
Ek=0.0451

but i still don't know how i can find the time to when the cradle comes to rest.
 
help please i need to find out how long it will take before the cradle comes to a rest.
will this help?
T= 2pi(sqrtL/g)
 
It never stops in the ideal model. Energy is lost in the real model in the collisions, then it stops.
 
Gregg said:
It never stops in the ideal model. Energy is lost in the real model in the collisions, then it stops.

Yes i know because its inelastic.
Though i need to find out how long it will take for an inelastic model to come to rest.
 
It is not simple to find out when the cradle will stop. Do some more observations. From the difference of the initial and final height you can follow the lost energy at each collision. It is difficult to predict how the energy will change in time, but you can plot the heights in terms of the number of collisions, and you can extrapolate the curve after a few swings to zero energy. ehild
 

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