Conservation of Momentum in Curling
Experiment #8 from Vernier Video Analysis: Conservation Laws and Forces
- Subject
- Physics
Introduction
Curling is a sport in which two teams of four players slide curling stones (also called rocks) down a sheet of specially prepared ice and try to get rocks of their own color closest to the center of a target called the house. During the course of play, rocks may be knocked out of the house by an incoming stone.
In any interaction between objects, momentum is transferred. In any system of multiple objects, if there are no outside forces on the system, momentum of the center of mass of the system must remain constant. In this activity, you will use Vernier Video Analysis to collect position and time data for curling stones colliding, and use that motion data to investigate the conservation of momentum in two dimensions.
Objectives
- Use video analysis techniques to obtain position and time data for curling stones before and after a collision.
- Quantify the momentum of each curling stone before and after a collision.
- Determine the path of the center of mass of a system of curling stones.
Sensors and Equipment
This experiment features the following sensors and equipment. Additional equipment may be required.
Ready to Experiment?
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This experiment is #8 of Vernier Video Analysis: Conservation Laws and Forces. The experiment in the book includes student instructions as well as instructor information for set up, helpful hints, and sample graphs and data.
