Question

Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and prompts in the orange boxes. Vocabulary: air track, approach velocity, conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, elasticity, kinetic energy, momentum, separation velocity, velocity Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.) Imagine going to a bowling alley with a bowling ball and a ping pong ball. Why is a bowling ball better for knocking down pins than a ping pong ball?

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation: Momentum (Q) is defined as mass in motion, which means it relates mass of an object with its velocity:

Q = m.v

So, momentum only depends on mass of the object and the velocity it is moving.

Comparing bowling ball and ping pong ball, the first one has more mass than the second one. Therefore, a bowling pin will better knock down the pins than the ping pong ball.