Skip Navigation
Search

Acceleration By Iterated Blows

Purpose

To illustrate the numerical technique by which a computer carries out integration of the equation a = F/m.

Equipment

Bowling ball and mallet; optional 20 foot track for the case of linear motion.

Images

c4-03

Description

The bowling ball is accelerated by a series of small blows with the mallet. Both linear and centripetal acceleration can be illustrated.