Pasco Scientific ME-6956, Instruction Manual And Experiment Manual

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012-07558A PAScar Accessory Track Set (2.2 Meter)
®
Experiment 11: Conservation of Center of Mass
Set up the track in the configuration shown in Figure 1.1 in Experiment #1. (Note: Instead of put-
ting the track directly on the table, place it on the additional mass bar so that the bar acts as a ful-
crum.) Position the bar so the cars and track are balanced. First use two cars of equal mass. Press
the cocked plunger and watch the cars move to the ends of the track. Since the center of mass of
the system does not move, the track will remain balanced.
Then repeat this procedure using cars of unequal mass.
Experiment 12: Oscillation Modes of Two Carts and Three Springs
Place two cars of equal mass on the track. Attach a spring between the two cars and connect each
car to their respective ends of the track with springs. Pull the cars away from each other and release
and observe the mode of oscillation. Then displace both cars in the same direction initially and
observe.
Add a mass bar to one car and repeat.
Experiment 13: Newton’s Second Law III
Repeat Experiment 8 with the track inclined so the pulley is on the high end and the car accelerates
up the incline.
Experiment 14: Damped Motion
Incline the track with the end stop at the bottom. Release the car from a measured distance up the
inclined track. The spring plunger should be unlocked and directed toward the bottom of the
incline so the car will rebound. On each rebound, when the car reaches its peak, record the time
and position. A plot of amplitude versus time can be made.
Experiment 15: Rocket Cart with Balloon
Attach an untied inflated balloon to the car with the neck of the balloon directed out the back of the
car. Let the air propel the car.
Experiment 16: Oscillation Modes of Three Cars and Four Springs
(For the ME-9459 system)
Place three cars of equal mass on the track. Attach a spring between the cars, and connect the end
cars to their respective ends of the track with springs.
Displace the two end cars away from the middle car and release and observe the mode of oscilla-
tion.
Additional Experiment Suggestions