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Motion in Two Dimensions

  • C4-12: ACCELEROMETER ON INCLINED PLANE

    C4-12
    Illustrate the behavior of a liquid accelerometer accelerating down an inclined plane.
    When the liquid accelerometer is accelerated, as in the case of the photograph at the left above, the liquid moves in the direction opposite to the acceleration, because of its inertia. When it is held motionless on an incline, the liquid moves toward the downhill side. When the accelerometer is allowed to accelerate down the incline, it will line up with the surface of the water parallel to the inclined plane.
    C4, FS1

     

  • C7-42: AIR TABLE - COLLISIONS OF PUCKS

    C7-42
    Qualitatively demonstrate elastic and inelastic two-dimensional collisions.
    Two or more pucks can be used to demonstrate elastic collisions. Velcro collars on pucks (front row of second picture) produce perfectly inelastic collisions. The air table is only available in rooms 1410, 1412, and 0405 because it will not fit through a standard single door. In smaller rooms, please consider C7-43 or C7-44.

    Also see a simulation of similar collisions here: https://www.myphysicslab.com/engine2D/billiards-en.html

  • C7-43: AIR TABLE - SMALL - COLLISIONS OF PUCKS

    C7-43
    Demonstrate collisions of pucks on an air table in rooms not accessible by the large air table.
    This small air table can be readily moved on a small rolling cart into all physics classrooms. Both elastic and inelastic collisions can be demonstrated using a variety of puck masses. Velcro collars are used to create inelastic collisions.

    Also see a simulation of similar collisions here: https://www.myphysicslab.com/engine2D/billiards-en.html

    OS10

  • C7-44: COLLISIONS - HOVERPUCKS

    C7-44
    Demonstrate two-dimensional collisions.
    Two battery-powered hoverpucks, as shown. Can be used to demonstrate a variety of two-dimensional collisions and motion. Velcro collars are available for inelastic collisions.

    Also see a simulation of similar collisions here: https://www.myphysicslab.com/engine2D/billiards-en.html

    C7

  • D2-32: AIR TABLE - LINEAR AND ANGULAR ACCEL OF A DISC

    D2-32
    Illustrate the accelerating disc problem.

    A mass m is attached to a string hanging over a pulley (to left of post) and wound around a disk of mass M and radius R. This provides a force F = mg and a torque T = mgR, creating both linear acceleration a=F/M and angular acceleration a=T/I of the disk, where the moment of inertia of the disk I=MR^2/2, assuming that m is much smaller than M. The distance d and the rotation Q which the disk undergoes when released from rest can then be calculated: d=at^2/2=mgt^2/2M and Q=at^2/2=mgt^2/MR. Eliminating t, we obtain the relation between the linear and angular acceleration of the disc, which can easily be experimentally verified: Q=2d/R.

    Note: The air table is only available in rooms 1410, 1412, and 0405 because it will not fit through a standard door.

  • D3-41: AIR TABLE - RECTANGULAR PUCK COLLISIONS

    D3-41
    Qualitatively show conservation of angular momentum in collisions of a circular puck with a rectangular puck.

    Show how linear and angular momentum are transferred between a small puck and the rectangular bar when the puck strikes the bar at various points along its length and/or at varying angles. Inelastic collisions can also be demonstrated using a puck with a velcro collar.