Physical Pendulum Accessory
Model No. ME-9858
4
®
Introduction
The Physical Pendulum Accessory (ME-9858) is used with the PASCO Roller Coaster
(ME-9812). The Mini-Car provided with the Roller Coaster Apparatus has a rubber band
bumper, which collides elastically with the Physical Pendulum Accessory. The Physical
Pendulum Accessory attaches to a PASCO Roller Coaster. The collision allows detailed
studies of angular momentum, linear and rotational kinetic energy, and gravitational potential
energy. The release point of the Mini-Car can be adjusted until the pendulum just makes it to
the top of its 180-degree rotation.
A detailed theoretical explanation is provided in Appendix A of this manual.
Setup
1. a)
Assemble the track to start on the left board at the middle height position (Figure 1). The
track should extend past the edge of the board on the right.
b)
You can place a catcher at the end of the track as a back-up, but it is not usually needed.
Figure 1: Track Configuration for Pendulum
