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Funnel Cart With Mass Over Pulley

Purpose

To demonstrate the independence of velocity components in a dramatic way.

Equipment

Funnel cart with ball on track, mass on string passing over pulley, as photographed.

Suggestions

Use this demonstration with C2-25: FUNNEL CART,and C2-27: FUNNEL CART ON INCLINE.

Images

c2-26

Description

A ball is placed in the funnel and the funnel cocked by compressing a spring. A mass on a string passing over a pulley is attached to the funnel cart, and the cart released so that it accelerates across the track. At a certain point a bump below the track trips a lever, releasing the spring and ejecting the ball vertically. Due to the acceleration of the cart, the ball falls behind the funnel. Before doing the experiment, ask your students where the ball will fall: in front, behind, or in the funnel.