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Racing Balls
Purpose
To illustrate linear kinematics in a possibly counterintuitive way.
Equipment
Track assembly with two-ball launcher, as photographed.
Suggestions
Ask the class to vote before doing the experiment.
Images
Description
When the two balls are launched from one end of the track with the same velocities, what will happen: (a) the ball on the straight track arrives at the other end first, (b) the ball on the track with the dip arrives at the other end first, or © the race is a tie - both balls reach the other end at the same time? ◙
References
(PIRA 1D15.20) See the Demonstration Reference File for several very interesting papers on this apparatus and variants thereof.◙
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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