Principle

A mass, which is connected to a cart via a silk thread, drops to the floor. The resulting motion of the cart will be recorded by way of a video camera and evaluated with the "measure Dynamics" software. The relationship between distance and time, velocity and time, and the relationship between mass, acceleration, and force will be determined for a uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion with the aid of the demonstration track. In addition, the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy will be represented graphically as well as by integrating the various forms of energy into the video in the form of bars.

Tasks

1. Determination of the distance covered as a function of time.
2. Determination of the velocity as a function of time.
3. Integration of the velocity into the video.
4. Graphical representation of the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy while demonstrating the law of conservation of energy.
5. Integration of the potential, kinetic, and total energy into the video.

Benefits

• Accurate results due to measurements with low friction: cart with sapphire bearings
• Over the entire track length adjustable feet for a very simple alignment of the track even on small tables
• Extremely robust accessories, for example no overloading of carts due to elastic bearing of base plate, prevent unnecessary breakdowns

Learning objectives

• Linear motion
• Velocity
• Acceleration
• Conservation of energy
• Kinetic energy
• Potential energy