Conservation of Momentum 1

by: Michael Horton

This lab introduces students to the idea of recoil and how conservation of momentum can be used to explain it. Many people use action/reaction to explain recoil, but conservation of momentum can be used equally well. Before shooting a gun, there is zero momentum relative to the shooter. So after the shot, there must be zero momentum. Whatever momentum the bullet has away from the shooter must be equal and opposite to the momentum of the gun’s recoil. This lab is a simple method for demonstrating recoil.

Details

Type Book ChapterPub Date 5/30/2009Stock # PB240X_12

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