air track

 

Code Number: 1C10.25

Demo Title:  Air Track - Constant Velocity

Condition: Good

Principle: Constant Velocity

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment: 

Air Track with cars

Procedure: 

Level the air track and using the desired car, show a constant velocity.  The best way to do this is to start the car near one end of the air track.  Move the car towards the nearest bumper and after it hits, the car should be moving at a constant velocity throughout the length of the track.

References:

  • Marciano Santamaria Lezcano, Evgeni Svenk Cruz de Garcia, Lucio Strazzabosco Dorneles, "Kinematics in One Dimension-A Smartphone Approach", TPT, Vol. 61, #7, Oct. 2023, p. 594.  
  • David S. Abbott, "Wavelength, Frequency, and Constant Speed Buggies", TPT, Vol. 53, #8, Nov. 2015, p. 502.
  • Walter Hellman, "Galilean Tracks in the Physics Lab", TPT, Vol. 49, #8, Nov. 2011, p. 474.
  • D. P. Wick and W. M. Ramsdell, "Experimenting With Electric Trains", TPT, Vol. 45, #3, Mar. 2007, p. 142.
  • Edwin Kaiser, "Instantaneous Velocity: A Different Approach", TPT, Vol. 29, #6, Sept. 1991, p. 394.
  • Robert Gardner, "Constant Velocity: An Uphill Run", TPT, Vol. 18, #5, May 1980, p. 382.
  • Vassilis Stavrinidis, Edited by Karl Mamola, "A Mechanical Glider Launcher for the Air Track", Apparatus for Teaching Physics, p. 85.

    1C10.25 - Air Track - Constant Velocity