Conservation of Momentum- Help with sources of erorrs?

[TaintedLove]

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

 

[diazona]

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?

 

[kerimek]

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your experience with the conservation of momentum lab. I understand that you are having difficulty thinking of sources of errors for this experiment, and I would be happy to provide some insights and suggestions.

First of all, it is important to note that any experiment can have sources of errors, and it is important to identify and minimize these errors as much as possible to obtain accurate results. In the case of your conservation of momentum lab, there are a few potential sources of errors that you could consider.

1. Measurement errors: One possible source of error could be in the measurements taken during the experiment. For example, if the masses were not placed exactly at the same point on the frictionless surface, this could affect the time and velocity calculations. To minimize this error, you could use precise measuring tools and take multiple measurements to ensure accuracy.

2. Air resistance: You mentioned the possibility of air friction affecting the results. This is a valid concern, as even a small amount of air resistance can significantly impact the motion of the masses. To minimize this error, you could conduct the experiment in a vacuum or use a more controlled environment with minimal air movement.

3. Imperfectly frictionless surface: Although your surface may be designed to be frictionless, it is possible that there could be some imperfections or small amounts of friction present. This could affect the motion of the masses and lead to errors in the calculations. To minimize this error, you could use a smoother surface or conduct the experiment multiple times and take an average of the results.

4. Human error: As with any experiment, there is always a possibility of human error. This could include errors in recording data, setting up the apparatus, or performing the calculations. To minimize this error, it is important to carefully follow the instructions and double-check all measurements and calculations.

These are just a few potential sources of errors that you could consider for your conservation of momentum lab. It is also important to keep in mind that the accuracy of your results will depend on the precision of your measurements and the quality of your experimental setup.

I hope this helps and good luck with your lab! If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to your teacher or a classmate for guidance. Remember, science is all about learning and experimentation, so don't be too hard on yourself if you encounter some challenges. Keep trying and you will get there!