College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
1N20.20 - Conservation of Linear Momentum - Air Track
Code Number:
References:
1N20.20
Demo Title:
Conservation of Linear Momentum - Air Track
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Linear Momentum
Area of Study:
Mechanics
Equipment:
Air track, 1m, 2m, and 3m cars with small magnets, Spring car with camera timer.
Procedure:
The air track must be level for this experiment to work. Take the spring car and turn the camera timer 1/4 of a turn then cock the spring. Set the spring car and one of the other cars with the same mass (small magnet) in the middle of the air track. The small magnet must be against the spring plunger of the spring car. Start the camera timer and steady the cars on the air track. When the timer goes off the cars should travel at the same speeds to the ends of the track. Mass ratios 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 are possible in this arrangement.
- Darren Broder, James Burleigh, Matthew Christian, Shawn Mowry, George E. Hassel, "A New Take on Exploding Carts", The Physics Teacher, Volume 55, November 2017, pg. 475.
- James L. Hunt, "Five Quantitative Physics Experiments (Almost) Without Special Apparatus", TPT, Vol. 43, # 7, Oct. 2005, p. 412.
- John L. Roeder, "Analyzing Collisions in Terms of Newton's Laws", TPT, p. 97, Vol. 41, # 2, Feb. 2003.
- E. Roger Cowley, Brian Holton, George K. Horton, "A Thought-Provoking Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 36, # 1, p. 24, Jan. 1998.
- E. Roger Cowley, Brian Holton, George K. Horton, "Blocks and Bullets Demo", TPT, Vol. 36, # 4, p. 198-199, April 1998.
- George K. Horton, "Cowley, Holton, Horton Comment", TPT, Vol. 36, # 4, p. 199, April 1998.
- Claude C. Hartman, "Momentum vs. Kinetic Energy", TPT, Vol. 6, # 4, April 1968, p. 177.
- Thomas R. Carver, John O. Crawford, "A 'Spectacular' for a Lecture Demonstration of Two-Body Interaction", AJP, Vol. 41, #7, July 1973, p. 922.
- Robert Ehrlich, "E.7, Momentum Conservation Using an Embroidery Hoop", Turn the World Inside Out, p. 59.
- David Kutliroff, "44, Conservation of Momentum in an Explosion", 101 Classroom Demonstrations and Experiments For Physics Teachers, p. 100.
- David Kutliroff, "45, Demonstrate Conservation of Momentum with Two Pendulums", 101 Classroom Demonstrations and Experiments For Physics Teachers, p. 101.
- David Kutliroff, "46, Illustrate the Difference Between Momentum and Kinetic Energy", 101 Classroom Demonstrations and Experiments For Physics Teachers, p. 103.
- Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Exploding Carts", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 110.
- Robert Ehrlich, "Momentum Conservation on a Ruler", Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 81- 82.
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