Vector Toys



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 Code Number :   1D10.11

Disclaimer:

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

The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources.

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Condition :   Excellent   
Principle :   Vectors  
Area of Study :  Mechanics  
Equipment :   Walking vector toys
Procedure :   Place the toys on a flat surface and hand the attached weight over the edge of the table.  Try to make sure that the weight is not swinging when you start the toy.  The toy should walk towards the end of the table and stop at the edge when the vector (string and weight) points straight down. 

The large wooden walker is made for walking down an inclined ramp.  However, with a mass of 20 grams on the end of the string, it will walk on a level surface.  It is best if it still walks on the ramp ( not inclined ) or a rough table top, as the walker will slide on a smooth table top. 

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   References

Heidi Strahm Black, "Vector Toy," TPT, Vol. 36, # 6, Sept. 1998, p. 375

Thomas J. Parmley, J. Irvin Swigart and Ray L. Doran, "Lecture Demonstrations for the High School Science Teacher", TPT, Vol. 4, # 1, Jan. 1966, p. 36.

"Problems That Bother Me", TPT, Vol. 4, # 3, March 1966, p. 144.

 

Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille