PURPOSE: To show the basic static and dynamic conditions of a cart on an incline.
DESCRIPTION: A low friction dynamic cart is balanced with a pulley and weights in static equilibrium on an incline plane. Subtract a mass from the weight hanger to force the cart down the incline. Reset the cart in back to the original equilibrium. Add a mass to the weight hanger to force the cart up the incline.
To show more friction flip the cart over so that it is off the wheels and slides on the block. Raise the incline to a high angle to show force the cart to slide down the incline.
EQUIPMENT: Dynamic cart, track, pulley with mass hanger, three 20 gram masses, large classroom protractor.
SETUP NOTES: Determine the angle to balance the cart in static equilibrium with
the two 20 gram masses. Subtract one 20 gram mass to roll downhill. Add one 20
gram mass to roll uphill.