Experiment Md-04
Action and Reaction with Air Carts
Description:
Two identical carts are placed on an air track centered between two photogates.
A spring, attached to one of the carts, is compressed and held in place by a string
in between the two carts. The photogates should be adjusted so that they will
trigger when a cart passes.
The
two carts set up on air track. One of the photogates is visible at the far right
of the picture.
The string is burnt by a flame. The spring decompresses, which results in the
two carts traveling in opposite directions with equal velocities which can be
verified from the data obtained from the photogates. This experiment should
be repeated with the mass of one cart doubled in order to show the relationship
between acceleration and mass.
Air
carts. The left-hand cart is capable of carrying extra masses (brown slab attached
to side).
SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
This experiment involves fire. Know
where the classroom fire extinguishers are located before performing the experiment
and be cautious with flame. Extinguish matches in water.
Materials: air
track, reaction carts, string, butane burner, matches, photogates, masses to
hang on carts
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Friday August 15, 2008 8:37 PM
