PASCO ME-9838 Hovercraft - Manual (Page 5)

Model No. ME-9838 Hovercraft
5 ®
Suggested Activities
Newton's 1
st
Law
Additional Equipment Required:
• Air Source (SE-8806)
Procedure:
1. Ask several students to stand about 5 meters from the Hovercraft to observe its motion.
2. Another student should be designated as the "catcher" to stop the Hovercraft.
3. A final student should be designated as the "marker" to place tape of the floor during its
motion.
4. Provide a brief push to the rider.
5. Ask the "marker" to mark the position of the Hovercraft each second after the "pusher"
releases the rider.
6. After moving across the floor for about 10 seconds, stop the Hovercraft.
Questions:
1. Describe the motion both during and after the push.
2. Draw a force diagram for the rider both during and after the push.
3. Describe the spacing between the marks on the floor. What do these marks suggest about
the motion the Hovercraft?
4. Describe the motion as the Hovercraft is stopped and draw a force diagram while
stopping.
5. Describe the causes of the motion that you observed throughout the motion.
6. Formulate a general rule to explain the motions you observed.