Physics Demonstrations
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Physics Demonstrations

Spring Loaded Car

Identifier: M: D - 001
2 Plunger Cars, 1 lightweight brick, 1 heavy brick

Concept Overview

For a given force, the acceleration of an object will decrease as the mass of the object increases.  (Newton's Second Law of Motion)

Lecturer Procedure

Steps to FollowExpected Result
  1. Press the end of the car with the plunger against the board.
  2. Compress plunger.
  3. Release car.
Car will move away from the board.
  1. Place one of the masses onto the car and repeat the steps above.
Car will move away from the board more slowly than before.
  1. Place a second mass onto the car and repeat once again.
Car will move EVEN MORE slowly than before.

Historical References; Taken from original work of Percy H. Carr, 1970 

“It is not wise to load to the stall point or point of no acceleration; too many explanations will be required."

Video Demonstration

Tutorial: Set-up Instructions for M: D - 1
Transcript:

Video has no sound.

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