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Mechanics Demonstrations

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1D15.17 – Ball roller

This demonstration illustrates how the ball has no “memory” of its initial direction of travel. We see the movement of the ball as it leaves the roller is perpendicular to…
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1D15.20 – High road low road

Although the total potential energy converted to kinetic energy is the same for each ball, the ball on the “low road” has a higher velocity for longer, and will thus…
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1D60.15 – Ballistic Cart

This demonstration illustrates projectile motion. Specifically, it describes how a projectile launched vertically with a certain horizontal velocity will keep said velocity and describe a parabola in its flight
fan cart

1G10.18 – Fan cart

Although the force generated by the fan is constant, the track and wheels restrict the movement, and thus the component of force in the direction of movement is proportional to…
equilibrium

1G10.42 – Atwood’s machine

Atwood's machine consists of two weights connected by a string that passes over a pulley. The demonstration shows how the machine can be used to study the laws of motion…
spring balance

1J30.20 – Tension in a string

This demonstration shows how the forces are balanced, as the Newton meter should stay stationary as the masses are increased, and should show the sum of the forces created by…
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1M40.20 – Loop the loop

This demonstration illustrates energy conservation in an object undergoing rotation, as well as centripetal force. The forces and energy types involved are (translational and rotational) kinetic energy, (gravitational) potential energy…
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1M40.41 – Ballistic Pendulum

This demonstration illustrates conservation of energy. The launcher stores potential energy, which is then converted to kinetic energy via the ball. The ball transfers this energy to the pendulum. By…
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1N30.10 – Newton’s Cradle

This demonstration illustrates mechanical energy conservation in collisions. The number of balls that move is equal to the number of balls released, which shows the energy is conserved.
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1R10.10 – Hooke’s Law

This demonstration shows Hooke’s law, in this case for the extension of a spring. Knowing that the force applied to the spring is directly proportional to the extension caused by…