1. When two cars of different mass are pushed away from each other, momentum determines the speed and the distance travelled by each car.
2. This device demonstrates the principle of momentum and the calculations can be performed.
3. The equation to calculate momentum is:
P = m x V
where,
P: momentum; m: mass v: velocity
4. Concepts that can be learnt from this experiment:
Potential energy of the spring
Kinetic energy
Momentum transfer
Friction coefficient
Laws of motion