C4-61: ACCELERATION ON A SCALE

ID Code: C4-61
Purpose: Illustrate forces in an accelerating system.
Description: A rigid frame hangs from a spring scale as photographed. In the frame, a mass hangs from a spring. The mass is pulled down and attached to a hook at the bottom of the frame by a short thread loop. (Ask your students how this affects the weight shown by the spring scale.) In this position the spring scale reads about 8 Newtons. Q: When the string is burned, releasing the mass, will the reading on the spring scale immediately after the string breaks (a) increase, (b) decrease, or (c) stay the same? A: It will increase, as seen on the accompanying mpeg video. The last photograph shows details of the lower connection of the weight to the hook.
Availability: Available