M.5(1a) - SHOOTING AND DROPPING A BALL

This apparatus demonstrates that the vertical and horizontal components of a projectile trajectory can be treated independently. It shows that for vertical fall, the time of fall is independent of any horizontal velocity possessed by the projectile. Two balls are released simultaneously from a platform. One is projected horizontally by a spring gun and the other is allowed to fall freely. Both reach the floor at the same time.

M.5(1b) - BALLISTIC CART

A unique wooden cart with aluminum wheels has a cone set up-side down over a clever system that holds down a small ball drilled through its axis. The system is triggered, projecting the ball, when the cart runs over a small obstacle mounted in the middle of the track. The track is a wooden board supporting an aluminum rail and it is about 2 m x 30 cm. The track lies on a table and a small push is given to the cart on the track. When it passes the trigger, the ball is fired vertically. The ball undergoes both horizontal and vertical motion and lands on the cart. This demonstrates the independence of horizontal and vertical motion.

M.5(1c) - WATER STREAM PARABOLA

The apparatus consists of a support rod set at an angle to the stand, a water nozzle with attached tubing, and four pivoted pointers. The pointers are attached to the rod at regular intervals so that the pointer tips lie on a parabola. The tubing is attached to the water faucet, the water is started and adjusted to graze the tip of the first pointer. Remarkably, the stream is observed to graze all the other pointer tips. The result is found to be independent of the angle at which the apparatus is supported.

M.5(1d) - THE BEAR AND THE HUNTER DEMONSTRATION

This apparatus also demonstrates projectile motion. It consists of a metal air-gun mounted on a heavy stand, with a steel projectile as a bullet and a stuffed animal as a target. The barrel of the gun is aimed directly at the target which is held by an electromagnet. The target is released when the steel ball passes by the nozzle of the gun, breaking the circuit. The ball and target collide in mid-air. The air-gun is set on the lecture bench with the circuit breaker turned downward. The rubber hose is connected to the nipple on a tall stand 3-5 meters away. A 6 V power supply is used to energize the electomagnet. The best results are obtained when the applied voltage is reduced to the lowest value that will still hold the target. This minimizes the time delay when the circuit is opened by the escaping bullet. The demonstration will be set up and adjusted, one just needs to press the air-gun handle. To repeat the demonstration, slide the steel ball back in the air-gun, trying not to distrub the aim very much. Hang the target, check the aim through the eye piece, and press the air-gun handle.

M.5(1e) - CENTER OF MASS ROD

A 30 cm rod has different sized rubber balls attached at each end. The system's center of mass is painted with fluorescent ink. Dim the lights and throw the rod from one side of the room to the other. The students will be able to observe the fluorescent dot performing a parabola. With the lights on, the can see the rolling mition of the two balls around their center of mass.

M.5(2a) - AIR TRACK

The air track can be used to demonstrate a variety of concepts such as:

• Newton's law of motion
• Conservation of momentum in one-dimensional collisions
• Oscillation of a system of connected masses

M.5(2b) - ACCELERATING GLIDER

A glider is connected to a hanging 5 gram weight by a string, which passes over a pulley. The friction involved by the pulley and glider is negligible. The pulley's only effect is to change the direction of the string. Allowing one to determine an expression for the acceleration of the glider in terms of Mg, Mw, and g:

a = Mw / (Mg + Mw) * g

Its accessorices include additional weights for the pulley and weight holder.
Specifications: Pulley: diameter = 4.8 cm weight = 9.4 grams

M.5(2c) - CART ON INCLINED PLANE

The set-up consists of an inclined plane with a pulley fixed on the elevated end and a half protractor in front of the plane (among others). The inclination angle can be varied from 0° to 45°. The metal cart has a small case where masses can be added and is tied to a string that goes through the pulley and hangs vertically. Different weights can be hanged to change the cart's acceleration, or a balance can be tied to the string and observed as the inclination angle is changed or masses are added to the cart.

M.5(2d) - AIR TABLE

It is relatively friction-free surface due to a continuous stream of air which reaches the table surface through numerous regularly spaced holes. The air table is an ideal setting in which to demonstrate many basic physical laws that relate to forces and the transfer of energy between bodies in motion.
Dimensions of table: 1.5 m x 1.5 m
Dimensions of the pucks: 7 cm and 10 cm in diameter.