PASCO SE-8747 Kinesthetics Cart KINESTHESIA-1 - Manual (Page 21)

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012-05787C Kinesthetics Cart
Experiment 12: Newton’s Third Law
“A Crushing Experience”
The SE-8748 Collision Attachment impressively brings the excitement of car collisions to our
class room. Aside from the fun of crushing soda cans, students can again get a closer look at
Newton’s Third Law.
Four empty, 12 oz. aluminum soda cans are inserted into the holders of the collision attach-
ment. Instead of simply aiming both carts toward the collision site it is recommended that both
carts are aligned at the collision site so that all four soda cans of one cart touch the cans of the
other cart. The two students participating in the collision position themselves on the carts sup-
porting their feet against the collision attachments and holding on firmly to the carts. Then they
are carefully rolled back to the starting position. Finally, the carts are given their respective im-
pact velocities.
Figure 12-2: The soda can bumpers of both carts are equally
deformed thus verifying Newton’s Third Law.
Figure 12-1: Two students are headed for a frontal collision.