PASCO ME-8957 ROTATIONAL ACCELERATION TANK - Manual (Page 2)

2
Rotational Acceleration Tank 012-05771B
thumbscrew
square nut
T-slot
ME-8957 ACCELERATION TANK ACCESSORY FOR USE WITH PASCO ME-8951 ROTATING PLATFORM
➧ CAUTION: Be careful not to over fill the tank
or spin the tank too fast. Spillage will result.
rotating
platform
“A” base
acceleration
rotating
platform
“A” base
tangential plane
axis of rotation
Rotational
Acceleration Tank
fluid
normal
Figure 3: Rotating Acceleration
“A” base
rotating
platform
0
10
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9
20
11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
21
22
24
10 9 8 7 6 5 4
3 2 1
20 19 18 17 16 15
14 13 12 11
24
23 22 21
Rotational
Acceleration Tank
(filled with fluid)
Figure 4: Angle of Refraction/Reflection
reflection
refraction light source
The surface of the water will
form a parabolic curve in the
tank. The exact shape will
correspond to the rate of
rotation. Notice that the normal
to a plane tangent to the curve
of the fluid surface points
toward the axis of rotation or
direction of acceleration.
See Figure 3.
➧ CAUTION: The tank has
considerable momentum
when it is filled and rotating.
Make sure your work space is
clear before you rotate the
tank . Do not attempt to stop
the tank abruptly.
Other Demonstrations
Additional Equipment Required
- Incandescent Light Source, such as PASCO OS-
9102B.
The Rotational Acceleration Tank can also be used to
demonstrate reflection and refraction.
➀
Place the tank on the rotating platform, or on a
stable desktop and fill the tank with the liquid to be
observed.
➁ Place a light source at the desired angle and observe
the angle of reflection or refraction. See Figure 4.
Figure 2: Rotational Acceleration Tank Setup
ME-8957 Rotational
Acceleration Tank