Linear Momentum / Inertia

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: Reaction Force, Inertia

Location: Prep Counter, Underneath

Composed of two fairly large platforms which can be coupled together with the shown handle.

Typical Demo: Have a student on each cart. If one student pushes off the other student both students will move. Their velocities will depend on the relative weights of the students.

Principles Illustrated: Conservation of Momentum

Location: Cabinet A, Shelf 4

Minute deformations of the steel balls allow for the transfer of momentum with little apparent motion.

Principles Illustrated: Newton's Third Law

Location: Cabinet A, Shelf 3

Fill the rocket (2 liter bottle) with a small amount of water to use for a reaction mass, put the rocket onto the pump body and pressurize the rocket. When released, the water is expelled and the rocket is propelled up to 50 feet.

CAUTION! Do not launch the rocket towards the audience!

Probability of instructor getting wet is high.

Principles Illustrated: Conservation of Momentum

A small ball is placed on top of a large one, and both are dropped together. The small ball shoots up to a very high height when the large ball hits the floor, demonstrating conservation of momentum.