Colliding gliders (equal mass): Quantitative Observational Experiment

Aim

Invent quantities and develop a rule which best describes the behaviour of objects before and after they collide.

Prior Knowledge

  1. Understanding of speed and velocity
  2. Understanding of motion diagrams and graphing.

Description of the Experiment

Two gliders of almost equal mass move freely on an almost frictionless air track. They are made to collide in different ways. Observe what happens and invent a physical quantity that might help to account for the observations.

Youtube movies can be stepped frame by frame using the , and . keys on your keyboard. If you want to download the movie to your computer, right-click or control-click HERE.

Questions

What physical quantities or their combinations are the same before and after the collision?