Demonstrations

Action-Reaction on an Air Track

Code Number :	1H10.15
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. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: U of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Good
Principle :	Action & Reaction
Area of Study :	Mechanics
Equipment :	Air track, Spring-loaded cars for air track (2), Magnetic cars for air track (2).
Procedure :	Clean the air track using alcohol or acetone. Assemble the cars as desired by mounting the magnets or springs into the air cars or the spring loaded timer cars.

References

John L. Roeder, "Analyzing Collisions in Terms of Newton's Laws," TPT, p. 97, Vol. 41, # 2, (Feb 2003).

Christopher Bracikowski, Doug Bowmanm, Karen Brown, "Feeling the Physics of Linear Motion", TPT, Vol. 36, # 4, Apr. 1998, p. 242.

Neal Newby Jr., "Explosive Breakup on Rough Surface", TPT, Vol. 35, # 8, Nov. 1997, p. 475.

"Figuring Physics", TPT, Vol. 26, # 9, Dec. 1988, p. 594.

"Figuring Physics," TPT, Vol. 26, # 1, p. 57, (January 1988).

"Doing Physics," TPT, Vol. 25, # 1, p. 59, (January 1987).

Robert Beck Clark, "The Answer is Obvious. Isn't It?" TPT, Vol. 24, # 1, p. 38, (January 1986).

Jean Brattin, "Action and Reaction? What's That?", TPT, Vol. 19, # 5, May 1981, p. 326.

Virginia F. Walters and David D. Dreyfuss, "A Quick Demonstration of Newton's Third Law", TPT, Vol. 10, # 9, Dec. 1972, p. 531.

Edward J. DeYoung, "Energy and Momentum During an Interaction", TPT, Vol. 7, # 3, March 1969, p. 168.

Andrew Ahlgren, "Conversation During Collisions", TPT, Vol. 7, # 7, Oct. 1969, p. 398.

John L. Stull, "Lossy Collisions: An Air Experiment", TPT, Vol. 7, # 4, April 1969, p. 225.

M. Parodi, D. Pescetti, "Coupling of Air Track Gliders by Forces Acting at a Distance", AJP, Vol. 42, # 5, May 1974, p. 414.

Mi- 4, Freier and Anderson, A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.

M- 312, "Two Carts and Medicine Ball," DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.

M- 324, "Action and Reaction - Air Fan," DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille