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PPhysicsS3 to S4Road safety
Momentum lab: collisions and helmets
Moto-taxis carry millions of passengers. Use momentum and impulse to understand crashes, and why helmets and seat belts save lives.
LevelS3 to S4 (and IGCSE)
TimeAbout 35 min
You usep = mv, impulse, energy
PriceFree: no account
🎯 Aim
To investigate conservation of momentum in collisions and use impulse to explain safety devices.
You will learn to
- Calculate momentum and use its conservation.
- Compare elastic and inelastic collisions.
- Use F = Δp ÷ Δt.
- Explain helmets, seat belts and crumple zones.
🧭 What to do
- Set the masses and speeds and tap Run the collision.
- Compare the total momentum before and after.
- Try each Type of collision and read the kinetic energy lost.
- Choose No helmet and Helmet foam: compare the force on the head.
- Answer the questions with the class data.
- Write your conclusion and download your lab report.
📋 The data
A moto hits a parked car and they move together.
🧠 Investigate: answer from the data
Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.
➕ Get more from this experiment
📝 Free
Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.
📦 Premium Lab Pack
1 000 RWF
- Worksheet: collisions with trolleys or marbles
- Momentum and road safety problems
- Teacher guide and answer key
- Exam-style questions with marking scheme
👩🏫 For teachers
Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.
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