Mechanics:
Spring Apart Dynamics Carts

PIRA Class: 1N20.22

Purpose:
To demonstrate conservation of linear momentum during an "explosion"

Description:
Use one cart with a spring/plunger and one without. Push the carts together to compress the spring then carefully release both hands simultaneously to see the carts "explode" apart as the plunger extends. Add masses to one cart to make the masses uneven.

VARIATION: Challenge students to predict a way to make one cart be at rest after the explosion without you holding the cart in place (move the carts together along the track pre-explosion so that the explosion reduces one cart's velocity to zero). Compare the speed of one of the carts when the 2nd cart is held in place during the explosion vs when it is not (fairly easy to explain if your system is both carts, more challenging to explain if your system is one cart and you are thinking about work).

Equipment:
Dynamics carts with masses, dynamics track

Location:
Shelf 112 (carts and masses), Shelf 117 (track)