Momentum Lab summary
In this lab, we tested the relationship of momentum and mass. Our hypothesis was, if the object has more mass, then it will have more momentum and it will be harder to stop. We tested this in an experiment where there were two cars set up. Then, they were pushed with equal force into a 200g barrier and recorded how far the barrier was pushed by the car. The masses were changed every trial ran so we could gather more data. Above, is a table of our results. We found that when the car has more mass, the barrier was pushed farther than the car with the less mass. For example, when car 1 had 200g of mass, the barrier was pushed 3 inches from where it was normally placed. The car with the less mass (car 2) had only moved it 1 inch. The same thing happened with the rest of our trials, car 1 (more mass) had moved the barrier farther than car 2. These results prove out hypothesis to be correct. When the car has more mass, it is harder to stop. Therefore, the more mas, the more momentum it has to stop.