Lab # _____
Name:_____________________________________________Date:________________Period:_____
Meteorite Impact Simulation
Objective: Determine the Physics of Meteorite Impacts
Materials: meter stick, “meteorite”(golf ball), sand box, small metric ruler and/or vernier calipers
Procedure and Analysis
1. Sketch the initial setup, and show the measurements to be taken and calculations to perform.
2. Determine a release height for the golf ball above the sand box. (approx. 2 m)
3. Calculate (before the drop) the weight of the golf ball, the time to fall, its velocity, impulse, and
momentum immediately prior to impact with the sand. Show all equations, work, and units.
4. After impact, measure the depth of the crater.
5. Based on the depth of the crater, calculate the acceleration of the ball in the sand, the average force
applied, the time to stop, and the impulse the sand applied to the ball.
6. Create a data table for your measurements. The data table should include the following
measurements and calculations:
before impact
- mass and weight of the golf ball
- release height
- potential energy of the golf ball
- kinetic energy at impact
- time for golf ball to fall
- velocity of golf ball at impact
- momentum of golf ball at impact
after impact
- depth of crater
- acceleration in the sand
- time of impulse (time to come to rest)
- force applied to golf ball by the sand
- impulse
7. Optional: a.) Change the angle of impact and investigate the results.
b.) Use a different size ball and repeat the experiment.
