Snowball Momentum

Snowballs Collide!

Equations needed:

Δp= mv = I = F Δt = ma Δt 

F= mdv/dt

a = dv/dt

pi=pf

Asumming that this was an inelastic collision and that energy was lost due to friction. We can say that the initial momentum is equal to the final momentum. 

I set up an expireiment where i placed one snowball on the ground and another .5m away from it. I then rolled on snowball into another and had them collide. 

Video:

Data: 

The first snowball (m1) was approximately 0.75kg and the second snowball (m2) was approximately 0.5 kg. 

The initial velocity of the first snowball (v1) is 0.494 m/s. The initial velocity of the second snowball is (v2) 0m/s because it started at rest.

The final velocity of the first snowball (v1f) is 0.732 m/s. The final velocity of the second snowball is (v2f) 0.502 m/s.

Velocity and x displacement of       Velocity and x displacement of      

snow ball #1                                    snowball #2

Graph of snowball #1 velocity                           

Calculations:

Ei + Wnc = Ef
m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1f + m2v2f
v1-v2 = -(v1f-v2f)

(0.75kg)(0.494) + (0.5kg)(0) = (0.75kg)(0.732 m/s) - (0.5kg)(0.502)

0.3705 = .29

Graph of snowball #2 velocity                           

There is a small amount not accounted for due to air resistance and possible friction, but the results show that the momentum equations are almost equal. 

The momentum of the first snowball can be shown by p = dv/dt

p = .232/2 = 0.116 kgm/s

The momentum of the second snowball can be shown by p = dv/dt

p = .502/2.3 = 0.218 kgm/s