003-Elastic and Inelastic Collisions of Same Body With a Brick

Physics Demo Number: 003		Approximate Run Time: 5 min
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions of Same Body With a Brick
Demo Description One shows an elastic collision of a ball and brick. By turning the brick around , a clay lump on the brick provides a new impact point for the ball and thus an inelastic collision.
Scientific Principles Elastic versus inelastic collisions Impulse-Momentum
Equipment A brick with a lump of clay on one side. A dedicated stand-and-ball apparatus with a bifiliar suspension and locating rod for the ball .
Equipment Location [F-1-4]
Instructions The apparatus is shown in the picture. NOTES: A reference bar is available for accurate releases of the steel ball from the same vertical height each time. The most useful aspect of the apparatus is to show that the brick is knocked over by the elastic collision and remains standing after the inelastic collision, thus allowing comments about impulse-momentum and relative magnitudes of forces for short and long collision times. One could also comment on minimum energy to tip brick and its unavailability in the inelastic case.
Writeup created by David A. Burba Copyright © 2013, Vanderbilt University. All Rights Reserved.

Physics Demo Number: 003