PASCO ME-9429B 1.2 m Classic Dynamics System - Manual (Page 32)

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1 . 2 m C l a s s i c D y n a m i c s S y s t e m A d d i t i o n a l E x p e r i m e n t S u g g e s t i o n s
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Additional Experiment Suggestions
Conservation of Center of Mass
Set up the track in the configuration shown in Figure 1.1 in Experiment #1 but instead
of putting the track directly on the table, place it on a 500 g mass bar so that the bar
acts as a fulcrum. Position the bar so the carts and track are balanced. First use two
carts of equal mass. Trigger the plunger and watch the carts move to the ends of the
track. Since the center of mass of the system does not move, the track remains bal-
anced. Repeat this procedure using carts of unequal mass.
Oscillation Modes of Two Carts and Three Springs
Place two carts of equal mass on the track. Attach a spring between the carts and con-
nect each cart to their respective ends of the track with springs. Pull the carts away
from each other and release and observe the mode of oscillation. Then displace both
carts in the same direction initially and observe. Add a mass bar to one cart and
repeat.
Newton’s Second Law: Uphill Acceleration
Repeat Experiment 7 with the track inclined so the pulley is on the high end and the
cart accelerates up the incline.
Damped Motion
Incline the track with the end stop at the bottom. Release the cart from a measured
distance up the track. Use the magnetic bumpers in the cart and end stop so the cart
rebounds. On each rebound, when the cart reaches its peak, record the time and posi-
tion. Make a graph of amplitude versus time.
Rocket Cart with Balloon
Attach an untied inflated balloon to the cart with the neck of the balloon directed out
the back of the cart. Let the air propel the cart.
For the following experiment suggestions, a 2.2 m track (such as model ME-9779) is recommended.
Oscillation modes of Three Carts and Four Springs
Place three carts of equal mass on the track. Attach springs between the carts and con-
nect the end carts to the ends of the track with springs. Displace the two end carts
away from the middle cart and release and observe the mode of oscillation. Displace
the two carts on the left away from the cart on the right and release and observe the
mode of oscillation. Displace the middle cart and release and observe the mode of
oscillation.
Multiple Elastic Collisions
Use two Collision Carts and one Dynamics Cart. Try this experiment with carts of the
same mass and then with carts of different masses. Set the three carts on the track with
the Dynamics Cart on the right end with its magnetic bumper oriented toward the Col-
lision Carts. Push the left Collision Cart into the middle cart, which in turn will col-
lide with the right cart. Note the resulting final velocities of each cart.