1G10.10 - Uniform Acceleration due to Earth's Gravity - Air Track

Code Number:
1G10.10
Demo Title:
Uniform Acceleration due to Earth's Gravity - Air Track
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Gravitational Acceleration is Constant
Area of Study:
Mechanics
Equipment:
Air track with spark generator, Two-pulley system on vertical stand, Weight hangers (5 to 50g), String, Car for air track (260 g), Paper tape for spark generator, Shock Absorber Towers, Rubber Bands.
Procedure:

Pulley alignment is critical to this demonstration.  The lower pulley must be positioned over the center of the track and also at a height that the string connected to the air car and running through the pulleys is parallel to the track.  Depending on the mass of the air car used, the weight hanger may have to be replaced by a 10 or 20 gram mass to overcome friction and show proper results.  When using with a spark generator care must be taken to see that all the insulators are in place.  Caution against electrical shocks should be observed.  The rubber band shock absorber must be used to insure that the string does not bounce off of the pulleys when it hits the end of the tracks.

References:
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Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.