Car on a Moving Sheet - Velocity Addition


 

 

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 Code Number :   1C10.10  

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Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website.

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Condition :   Excellent 
Principle :   Velocity and Vector Addition
Area of Study :  Mechanics   
Equipment :   Toy cars with battery adapter for using with one or two batteries, cardboard sheet, cup targets.
Procedure :   Place the car with one battery on the table so that it will move across the sheet and run into the cup on the other side.  Then do the same experiment, but pull the sheet at 90 degrees to the direction of the car.  You should be able to time the movement of the sheet so that the car runs into the back cup. 

Take out the battery adapter and add the second battery to make the car go with twice the velocity.

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Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille