Re: [Phys-l] nifty pendulum, conservation, et cetera

[Carl Mungan <mungan@usna.edu>]

> Here is a simple yet nifty demo:  PIRA 1M40.15:
>
> http://www.sfu.ca/physics/ugrad/courses/teaching_resources/demoindex/mechanics/mech1m/galileop.html

I strongly prefer using this apparatus to do the standard demo of how 
high a particle must be released to just complete a loop-the-loop. 
Much better than the conventional versions using a marble or 
hot-wheels car on a track because friction (and even a bit of 
rolling) cause the experimental heights to be way way off the 
theoretical prediction. But it's pretty much bang-on agreement with 
an interrupted pendulum.
--
Carl E. Mungan, Asst Prof of Physics  410-293-6680 (O) -3729 (F)
Naval Academy Stop 9c, 572C Holloway Rd, Annapolis MD 21402-5002
mailto:mungan@usna.edu     http://usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/