Mb-3 Newton's Cart
Published: Thursday 09 March 2006 - Updated: Thursday 24 March 2011
Aim
To demonstrate that force can be resolved into its individual components.
Apparatus
- PASCO TM Newton's Cart
- Stopwatch and Ruler
- Extra Masses
Diagrams
Click on pictures to enlarge.
|
Newton's Cart Pic 1 |
Newton's Cart Pic 2 |
Videos
Newtons Cart 1On High Speed |
Newtons Cart 2With Air-flow Blocked |
Newtons Cart 3With Added Mass |
Newtons Cart 45 degreesFan at 45 degree angle |
Newtons Cart 90 degreesFan at 90 degree angle |
Description
Newton's Cart has a propeller attached to it, which can be rotated through 180 degrees. At zero degrees the propeller will produce the maximum acceleration, while the propeller set at 90 degrees will produce zero net acceleration in the forward direction. The acceleration can be measured with a stopwatch and can be used to confirm component calculations. Also masses may be placed on the cart to vary the acceleration so as to demonstrate Newton's Second Law.