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| Essential questions | | How does momentum change for objects in an isolated system?
What is momentum conservation? | |
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Newton’s third law states that for every force there is an equal and opposite reaction force. The law of conservation of momentum is a powerful generalization of Newton’s third law. For an isolated system, the total momentum of all the objects inside is constant. In this investigation, you will explore the conservation of momentum for two carts that are subject to no outside net force. The only catch is that the carts have a compressed spring inserted between them! Is momentum conserved for this system? 
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Conservation of momentum for spring-loaded carts
The interactive model simulates two carts with a compressed spring between them. When they are released, the spring causes the carts to move in opposite directions. These are a type of ballistic cart. - Select a mass for each cart.
- Press [Run] to start the simulation.
- Run the simulation for different combinations of masses for the two carts. Use your data table to record the mass and velocity for each combination.
- Describe the velocities when the masses of the two carts are equal.
- Describe the velocities when the red cart has more mass than the blue cart.
- Describe the velocities when the blue cart has more mass than the red cart.
- Evaluate the data in your table. What quantity can you construct or calculate that is equal and opposite for the two carts after they are released? How is this the most logical conclusion to draw from your data?
- Why are ballistic carts useful in studying conservation of momentum? Explain.
- If the two carts together are considered a closed system, what is the net force on the system? What is the change in the system’s momentum after being released? Use appropriate equations to explain how these two questions are related to each other.
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In this interactive simulation, you will investigate the conservation of momentum using two carts that are initially in contact with each other and have a compressed spring between them. When the carts are released, the spring expands and the two carts are shot out in opposite directions.
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