Pasco Scientific ME-9486, Instruction Manual And Experiment Manual

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012-05460A Ballistic Cart Accessory
Experiment 5: Drop Ball - Demonstration
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
– Ballistic Cart Accessory (ME-9486)
– Dynamics Cart and track
– Drop Rod Accessory (ME-9487)
Purpose
The purpose of this demonstration is to show that when the ball is dropped from the drop rod
while the cart is moving at any constant speed, the ball will land in the cart.
Procedure
➀
Prior to the beginning of the demonstration, perform the Setup procedure.
➁
Position the drop rod so that the ball will be directly over the cup. See Figure 5.1.
➂
With the cart at rest on the track, hang the ball on the drop rod and trip the release mechanism
with a penny or other opaque object. This shows the students that the ball is drops straight down
and is caught by the cart.
➃
Put the photogate trip bracket near one end of the track, leaving enough room to push the cart up
to its maximum speed before it reaches the trip bracket. Hang the ball from the drop rod and give
the cart a gentle push.
➄
Return the cart to the end of the track. Hang the ball from the drop rod and give the cart a stron-
ger push. The ball will be caught at any cart speed.
➤
CAUTION! You must catch the cart with your
hand before the cart reaches the end stop on the
track because the cart will derail when it’s moving
fast.
end stop
modified
pink ball
Drop Rod
Accessory
trip bracket
Figure 5.1: Setup for Drop Ball