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- A. General Materials & Mathematics
- B. Statics
- C. Kinematics & Dynamics
- D. Rotational Mechanics
- E. Gravitation & Astronomy
- F. Fluid Mechanics
- G. Vibrations & Mechanical Waves
- H. Sound
- I. Thermodynamics
- J. Electrostatics & Magnetostatics
- K. Electromagnetic Principles
- L. Geometrical Optics
- M. Wave Optics
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- O. Vision
- P. Modern Physics
Acceleration On A Scale
Purpose
To illustrate forces in an accelerating system.
Equipment
Mass hanging from spring in frame hanging from spring scale, as photographed.
Suggestions
Ask your students what will happen, and why, before doing the experiment.
Images
Description
A rigid frame hangs from a spring scale as photographed. In the frame, a mass is pulled down and attached to a hook at the bottom of the frame by a short thread loop. (Ask your students how this mass hangs from a spring. The affects the weight shown by the spring scale.) In this position the spring scale reads about 8 Newtons. Q: When the string is burned, releasing the mass, will the reading on the spring scale immediately after the string breaks (a) increase, (b) decrease, or (c) stay the same? A: It will increase.
References
Richard M. Sutton, Demonstration Experiments in Physics, Demonstration M-114. Acceleration on a Balance. C. Frank Griffin and Peter N. Henriksen, Physics challenges, TPT 18, 135-136 (1980).
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See pagesc1. center of mass motion
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See pagesc3. first law of motion
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See pagesc4. second law of motion
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See pagesc5. third law of motion
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See pagesc6. friction
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See pagesc7. collisions
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See pagesc8. mechanical energy & power
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See pagesc1. center of mass motion
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See pagesc3. first law of motion
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See pagesc4. second law of motion
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See pagesc5. third law of motion
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See pagesc6. friction
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See pagesc7. collisions
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See pagesc8. mechanical energy & power