Notes on Experiment 3.5: Forces Acting on Moving Bodies

Experiment Overview

• Focus: Forces acting on moving bodies.
• Objective: Investigate the effects of applying a force to an object already in motion.
• Key Question: Will the object move in the direction of the applied force or deviate in another direction?

Materials and Setup

• Instead of an air puck, a hoverball is used for the experiment.
• Surface preparation: Clean the surface where the experiment will be conducted (entire front of the room).
• Ensure hoverball is charged and operational.
• Test the level ground to minimize friction; aim for a negligible air resistance scenario.

Conducting the Experiment

• Start the hoverball in an initial forward motion (students might need to give a slight nudge).
• Once moving, forces will be applied by gentle kicks referred to as "foot bumps" rather than a suggested puff of air, to maintain control.
• Ensure uniformity in application strength and distance for each bump to gain consistent results.

Observations and Exploration

• Note how the hoverball reacts when bumps are applied:
• Apply bumps directly in the line of motion.
• Experiment with applying bumps at angles to the direction of motion.
• Use markers (e.g., dry erase) to draw paths on the floor for the hoverball to follow, referencing figures in the textbook (e.g., Figure 3.17).
• Conduct the experiment collectively, forming groups to test different approaches and angles.

Qualitative Analysis

• The experiment is qualitative in nature with less emphasis on numerical data.
• Focus on observational insights rather than quantitative measurements.

Pre-Lab Discussion

• Instructors encourage students to collaboratively create a pre-lab outline.
• Aim to finalize pre-lab preparations before the next class session.
• Clarification on the overall approach helps to streamline the overall lab process.

Conclusion

• Reinforce group discussions for pre-lab setup so the following class will primarily involve practical experimentation and observation, minimizing preparatory steps then.