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Air Track - Center Of Mass Pendulum
Purpose
To show uniform motion of the center of mass of a vibrating pendulum/glider system.
Equipment
Air track with center of mass glider, as photographed.
Suggestions
Use black light to illuminate the center of mass in the large lecture halls.
Setup Time
5 min.
Images
Description
A symmetric (balanced) pendulum is suspended from an air track glider. The mass of the pendulum bob is approximately the same as that of the glider, so the center of mass (marked by a fluorescent disc) is approximately at the midpoint of the rod between the bob and the center of the glider. When the pendulum oscillates, the center of mass moves uniformly in the horizontal direction or remains motionless (horizontally).
References
(PIRA 1D40.50)
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See pagesc1. center of mass motion
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See pagesc3. first law of motion
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See pagesc4. second law of motion
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See pagesc5. third law of motion
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See pagesc6. friction
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See pagesc7. collisions
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See pagesc8. mechanical energy & power
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See pagesc1. center of mass motion
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See pagesc3. first law of motion
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See pagesc4. second law of motion
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See pagesc5. third law of motion
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See pagesc6. friction
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See pagesc7. collisions
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See pagesc8. mechanical energy & power
Physics Lab Demos