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The change in momentum of an object, impulse, occurs through the force between
the objects. It can be found by calculating the area under force-time graph,

Eq.1

Eq.2

where J is the impulse and F is the force exerted on a object.

In this experiment, the forces in collisions and the transfer of momentum between
two objects were investigated. Initially, the anvil was at rest. The strain gauge force
sensor was connected to a computer, which introduced a new corresponding output
signal known as ͚Y͛ (dimensionless).

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To calibrate the sensor means to determine the relationship between the force and
the corresponding ͚Y͛ value. The magnitude of force was measured on the spring
balance. Forces applied increases in increment of 3N and never exceed 20N. The
computer showed a reading for ͚Y͛ valuethat corresponds to each force.

Results and Analysis

The ͚Y͛ value-force data is plotted in Figure 2. The result is consistent and linear.
From the graph, the relationship between ͚Y͛ value and force applied can be written
as,

Y=aF+b0 Eq.3

The gradient of the graph equals to ͚a͛. With zero Newton as a reference point, the
graph intersects the ͚Y͛ value-axis.

Trial Weight (kg) Force (N) Y

1 0 0 0.14
2 0.3 2.94 1.51
3 0.49 4.8 2.39
4 0.95 9.31 4.25
5 1.17 11.5 4.93
6 1.5 15 6.10
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The uncertainty of the weight is á0.0005 as the measurements may appear to be

inaccurate. Using Eq.2, the magnitudes of the applied forces were determined and
the uncertainty is á0.2.
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The slope of the line of best fit is = 0.41733 = 0.42 and the
interception is F0 = 0.14.

Discussion

The ͚Y͛ value and applied force have a linear relationship. As the force applied
increases, the value for ͚Y͛ increases too. Their relationship can be expressed as
Y=0.42F+0.14, where 0.42 is the gradient of the slope and 0.14 is the ͚Y͛-axis
interception when no force is applied. Although the forces were calculated using
Eq.2 and there were uncertainties in weight measurements, the result is reasonably
accurate. The ͚Y͛-force graph appeared to be relatively linear as expected.

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Using STRAIN program to record data, a graph for ͚free͛ collisions was obtained. The
anvil was set free to swing.

Results and Analysis

The graph for ͚free͛ collisions is shown in figure 2 and 3. The time increment Œt is
1/5000s. The graph starts off with a significant jump and reached the peak ͚Y͛ value,
12.06, and then it drops to become more stable. This graph behaves like a smaller
͚sine͛ like waveform. Gradually the graph increases and decreases at a much lower
rate and constantly levels off. From the curve, the cross-over time tx, where the
graph crosses the baseline, is estimated to be around 5.2 x10-3s.
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The program automatically calculates the area under the curve. Starting from the
first data point and ending at the crossover point, the area is 230.86. Given that the
impulse is the area between the ͚Y͛ curve and the baseline, where F=0. Therefore,
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Eq.4

where ͚S͛ is the area under the ͚Y͛ curve, ͚Œt͛ is the time increment and ͚a͛ is the
gradient obtained in part B. The experimental result for impulse (J) is 0.10993 Ns.

Alternatively, given the angle of release , the length of the pendulum (L) and the
mass of the hammer, the impulse can be determined using,

Eg.5

Using 9.8ms-2 as ͚g͛, the theoretical result for impulse is 0.10198 Ns.

Discussion

From the results, the experimental and the theoretical values from impulse are very
close. The percentage difference between the two values is only 7.8%. This shows
the experiment has been performed as expected.