Click the Start button, wait about one second, then release
the car. Let the car roll the full length of the track,
but be sure to catch the car before it hits the pulley!
Data collection will automatically stop after 5 seconds.
Reminder: The cord of the Force Sensor will create a large
amount of drag on the car, so it must be moved along with
the car.
Shorten the length of the string by about 5 cm. The can
be easily done by winding more string around the mass holder.
Repeat steps 1 and 2.
Shorten the length of the string by another 5 cm and
repeat steps 1 and 2. You should have a total of three data
runs.
Compare and contrast the velocity-time graphs for each
of the three data runs. Explain any similarities or differences.
From the velocity-time graphs, how can you tell when you
released the car?
From the force-time graphs, how can you tell when you
released the car?
Scientists define the impulse as the product of the force
and time. Using your data, calculate the impulse for each
of the data runs.
How was the impulse increased from one data run to the
next?
How could you have increased the impulse with another
method?
Compare the impulse for each data run to its change in
momentum. What do you notice? Explain.
Using the relationship you discovered in question 7, write
the equation for impulse and momentum. This equation is
really just a rearrangement of Newton's __________ Law.
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