Time resolved investigations of momentum, energy and work during an elastic collision

Abstract The conservation of momentum and energy are fundamental principles in physics, frequently introduced using illustrative examples of collisions. However, conventional methods often neglect the dynamic processes occurring during the collision itself. This paper presents a comprehensive experimental investigation of a central elastic collision between two carts. By utilizing digital sensors, the positions, interaction forces, and time throughout the collision process were measured with high resolution, enabling a precise examination of the conservation of momentum and mechanical energy, as well as the work-energy theorem. The experiment provides detailed insights into the dynamics of collision processes, revealing the transformation between kinetic and potential energy, highlighting the advantages of digital data acquisition for modern physics education.