Concepts

Relative motion, projectile motion

Overview

When the car passes a trigger point, the ballistic cart accessory launches a small ball upwards. The ball falls back into the cart because of relative motion.

Details

Equipment

• [1] Cart
• [1] Ballistic cart accessory
• [1] Cart track
• [1] Ball
• [2] Lab jack
• [1] Photogate trigger
  
• [1] Super pulley with clamp
• [1] Mass on a string

Classroom Assembly

1. Level the track on the lab jacks.
2. Attach the photogate trigger to the track.
3. Screw the ballistic cart accessory to the cart.
4. Cock the ballistic cart accessory, turn it on, and place the ball inside.
5. Place the cart on the track.
   

Important Notes

• Don't put your face over the ballistic cart accessory when it's on!

Script

1. Make sure the ballistic cart accessory is on.
   
2. Launch the ball with the car effectively at rest by slowly moving the cart through the photogate trigger.
   
3. Reset the launcher and push the cart so it passes the photogate trigger at moderate constant speed.
4. Attach the mass to the cart and hang it over the pulley. Let the cart accelerate past the photogate trigger.
5. Turn off the ballistic cart accessory.
   

Additional Resources