Conservation of Energy

Principles Illustrated: Acceleration, Momenta

Location: Cabinet A, Shelf 3

A two meter long airtrack with a quiet air source. Two carts, adjustable masses, magnetic bumpers and photogate timers are standard equipment.

Many experiments are possible, from simple collisions to acceleration.

Principles Illustrated: Conservation of Energy

Location: Cabinet B, Shelf 5

A spring loaded gun shoots a brass ball into the cup at the end of a pendulum arm. A catch attached to the cup engages with a toothed rack to hold the pendulum arm up at the angle of maximum ascent. The rack has a scale to indicate the angle.

Principles Illustrated: Conservation of Energy

Location: Cabinet A, Shelf 1

A 'hot wheels' car is rolled down a curved (elliptical) track so that it is launched horizontally. The car is then captured by a coffee can on the floor.

Principles Illustrated: Conservation of Energy

Location: Top of Cabinets

The track consist s of an "L" shaped path with a smooth transition.

Show that regardless of the angle of descent/ascent the height the rolling ball attains is dependent on the height at which it was released.

Principles Illustrated: Conservation of Energy and Centripetal Force

Location: Back Counter

A ball is rolled through the hoop. For sufficient initial height the ball rolls through the hoop without falling.