UIUC Physics Lecture Demo: Pendulum Cart

UIUC Physics
Lecture Demonstration
Database

Demo # 797

Pendulum Cart

ID # 797

Description:

This is a large cart with a large hanging pendulum. If you swing the pendulum, the cart will move back and forth on the track so as to conserve linear momentum, but the center of mass will not move.

Picture of Pendulum Cart

Physics Concept:

Mechanics
Linear Momentum
Conservation of Linear Momentum

The demonstration takes about 1 minute to perform.