UIUC Physics Lecture Demo: Cannon on Cart with Tunnel (with pulley option)

UIUC Physics
Lecture Demonstration
Database

Demo # 16

Cannon on Cart with Tunnel (with pulley option)

ID # 16

Description:

A cart is given a push on a horizontal track and let go. A steel ball inside its cup is launched straight up by a spring that is triggered at a certain point on the track. The ball demonstrates independence of X-Y motion by landing back into the cup on the moving cart. Due to this X-Y independence, the ball can jump over a tunnel placed at an appropriate spot on the track. A pulley can also be used to accelerate the cart. Using this option, the cart will be going faster than the ball, and the ball will not land in the cup.

Picture of Cannon on Cart with Tunnel (with pulley option)

Physics Concept:

Mechanics
Kinematics in Two Dimensions
Projectile Motion

The demonstration takes about 2 minutes to perform.