Physics Demo Number: 066

Approximate Run Time: 10 min

Newton's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Laws of Motion with a Small Air Track

Demo Description

Use an air track, gliders, and an assortment of accessories to demonstrate Newton's Laws of Motion.

 

Scientific Principles

  • Newton's Laws of Motion

Equipment

  • Air track, gliders, and assorted attachments

  • Air supply

1

Equipment Location

  • Photo 2 shows the dedicated air track and air supply home [G-1-1]-[G-2-1].

  • Photo 1 shows the track-supply and a few gliders ready for use.

  • Photo 3 shows two dedicated air track gliders that are set up with  a 6 foot retracting pocket ruler which provides equal attactive forces on each glider. These two gliders are useful  in discussing Newton's 3rd Law.
  • Photo 4 shows the dedicated air track and its air supply on their new dedicated cart, which lives opposite the [H] columns along the  wall on the left in the back hall of the prep room.

  • Gliders are in Kits (066) on [F-1-1].

  • There is  a dedicated Kit (066) box for the two gliders, also on [F-1-1].

 

2

 3







Instructions



Make use of the very low friction of the gliders moving on the track for demonstrating various aspects of Newton's Laws that fit in with the picture you are conveying to your class.

A set of leveling screws form the tripod suspension of the track, so that frictionless inclined plane motion is readily achieved for a glider, for second law comments.

Obviously a level track is useful for 1st Law comments.
  
Writeup created by David A. Burba
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