Calculating the Accuracy of Results in a Conserved Quantities Lab Experiment

How can we determine the accuracy of results in a Conserved Quantities Lab experiment?

Accuracy Calculation in Conserved Quantities Lab Experiment

To find the accuracy of the results in the Conserved Quantities Lab, you can calculate the percent difference between the initial and final momenta. The formula for percent difference is the absolute value of the difference between the two values divided by their average, multiplied by 100.

When conducting an experiment in a Conserved Quantities Lab where students collide a 350 g cart with initial speed of 1 =1.43 m/s elastically with an initially stationary cart of mass 550 g on a frictionless track, they record the final velocities of the two carts. The lighter cart bounces back with a speed of 0.320 m/s and the heavier cart goes with a speed of 1.10 m/s. In order to determine the accuracy of their results, the students can calculate the percent difference of their initial and final momenta.

In this experiment, the initial momentum of the system can be calculated by multiplying the mass of cart A by its initial velocity and adding it to the product of the mass of cart B and its initial velocity, which is zero since it is initially at rest. The final momentum of the system can be calculated by multiplying the combined mass of the two carts by their final velocity. By finding the percent difference between the initial and final momenta, the students can determine the accuracy of their experimental results.

To calculate the accuracy, the students can use the formula for percent difference, which involves taking the absolute value of the difference between the two values, dividing it by their average, and then multiplying by 100. By substituting the values of the initial and final momenta into the formula, the students can find the percent difference and assess the accuracy of their experimental results.

Understanding and calculating the accuracy of results in experiments involving the conservation of momentum is essential in determining the reliability of the data obtained. By following the steps outlined above, the students can evaluate the precision of their experimental outcomes and make necessary adjustments to improve the accuracy of their measurements.

By analyzing the percent difference between the initial and final momenta, the students can gain insights into the effectiveness of their experimental procedures and enhance their understanding of the principles of conservation of momentum.