Pasco Scientific ME-9486, Instruction Manual And Experiment Manual

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5
012-05460A Ballistic Cart Accessory
Experiment 1: Shoot and Catch - Demonstration
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
– Ballistic Cart Accessory (ME-9486)
– Dynamics Cart and track (ME-9452)
Purpose
This demonstration shows that when the ball is shot vertically upward from the cart while the
cart is moving at any constant speed, the ball will land back in the cart.
Procedure
➀
Prior to the beginning of the demonstration, perform the Setup procedure.
➁
With the cart at rest on the track, load the ball and trip the release mechanism with a penny or
other opaque object. This proves to the students that the ball is being launched straight up.
➂
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. See Figure 1.1. Load the ball and start
the cart from that end of the track by giving the cart a gentle push. The cart will move slowly and
the ball will be caught.
➃
Return the cart to the end of the track. Load the ball and give the cart a stronger push.
➤
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. The ball will be caught at any cart
speed.
➤
NOTE: If you have the Drop Rod Accessory, try putting it on the Ballistic Cart Accessory to
act as a reference line. With this reference line, the ball appears to go straight up and down.
Without the reference, the ball may appear to go in a parabola.
Figure 1.1: Setup for Shoot and Catch
end stop
trip bracket
ball launcher
photogate