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The primary tool for the study of dynamics in two dimensions. Two steel pucks float on an air cushion provided by air pressure supplied through light tubes. The motion of these pucks is recorded by spark recording leaving a series of black spots on a sheet of paper. The spots are precisely timed so that it is simple to calculate the velocity and direction of the velocity vectors before and after a collision. |
The recordings are large so that vector analysis can be performed directly on the recording sheet. A typical record at a reduced scale is shown below. The example shows a collision between pucks of equal mass, but by substituting a puck of smaller mass, unequal mass collisions can be studied.
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Inelastic collisions can be produced by placing Velcro belts around the pucks so that they stick together after hitting. Collisions between magnetic pucks occur with no mechanical contact. These collisions conserve energy as well as momentum. With a single puck attached by coil springs to the table edge, simple harmonic motion can be studied. If the puck is set in motion in a circular path, conservation of angular momentum can be established. A world of mechanics experiments is available with this apparatus. |
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