Newton’s Laws of Motion Apparatuses

GREENtree

Christopher Alston, Andre Bernal, Julian Quick, and Jesse Zipursky

Engineering 215 Fall 2012

To design and build a set of apparatuses that demonstrate Newton’s three laws of motion to Laurel Tree high school students

Objective

Newton’s Laws of Motion1st Law: An object stays in constant motion unless acted upon by an external force

2nd Law: Force equals mass times acceleration

3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

Criteria• Durability• Mysteriousness• Safety• Educational Value• Measurability• Accuracy & Precision• Inexpensive• Storability• Sustainability

The Three Apparatuses

Inclined Planes

Loop de Loop Rollercoaster

Balloon Rocket

Inclined Planes

• Solving for the coefficient of friction for each surface

• Demonstrates friction and inertia on a moving object

• Different surfaces are secured on the planes with Velcro ®

Inclined Planes in construction The finished apparatus

How to use the inclined planes

Friction cutouts

Inclined Planes

Free Body Diagram

• N = mgcos(θ)• Assume f = N• mg sin(θ) = mgcos(θ)• = tan(θ)

Loop de Loop Rollercoaster

• Practical application

• Students can calculate initial height needed to pass loop

• Demonstrates F=ma, potential energy and centripetal acceleration

Loop de Loop RollercoasterJulian Quick, 2012

How to use the Loop de Loop Rollercoaster

At top of loop, Fcentripetal acceleration ≥ Fgravity

ac = v2 / r

m g h = m v2

v2 = 2 g h

Julian Quick, 2012

m ac ≥ m g

ac ≥ g

To get v2, Use conservation of energy:

So, 2 g h / r ≥ g

Given that

h ≥ r / 2

Marble

Balloon Rocket• Demonstrates

Newton’s Third Law

• Calculate average velocity

• Varying distances

Balloon Rocket Apparatus

Balloon Rocket: How does it work?

balloon

Track

Straw (unseen)

The Rocket Balloon in use

Total Cost (materials)Material Quantity Cost ($)

Retail Cost ($)

Plywood 6" by 30” (planes)

2 donated $ 33.50

Plywood 4' by 4' (platform)

1 donated $ 16.37

Hinges 8 $ 17.98 $ 17.98 Metal Slate 6" by 30”

1 donated $ 21.98

Carpet 6" by 30” 1 donated $ 5.79 Wooden Blocks 2" by 6"

4 donated $ 11.56

Plywood Stand 2 donated $ 15.49 Nails and Hardware

1 $ 1.99 $ 1.99

Wood Glue 1 $ 3.49 $ 3.49 Velcro® 8 $ 3.99 $ 3.99

$ 27.45 $132.14 Total

Inclined Planes

Material Quantity Cost ($)Retail

Cost ($)1.25” PVC Pipe at 4’

2 $ 5.49 $ 5.49

6 gal Buckets 2 $ 13.98 $ 13.98 1.25” PVC Coupling

2 $ 2.98 $ 2.98

Eye Hook 2 $ 3.98 $ 3.98 1.25” PVC Plug 2 $ 2.99 $ 2.99 String or Thin Line at 7’

1 $ 8.99 $ 8.99

A Pack of Balloons

1 $ 2.97 $ 2.97

1” tubing section at 1’

1 $ 0.17 $ 0.17

Washers 4 $ 0.80 $ 0.80 Spray Painy 2 $ 9.98 $ 9.98 40LB Concrete 1 $ 5.49 $ 5.49

$ 57.82 $ 57.82

Balloon Rocket

Total

Material Quantity Cost ($)Retail

Cost ($)Foam Pipe Insulation

2 $ 3.98 $ 3.98

1.25 “PVC Pipe segments

6 3.56 $ 3.56

1’x .5’ Plywood 1 donated $ 5.37 Adhesive 1 $ 3.29 $ 3.29 Bag of Marbles 6 $ 2.99 $ 2.99

$ 13.82 $ 19.19

Loop de Loop Rollercoaster

Total

99.09$ 209.15$

Cost PaidRetail Cost

Total Cost (hours)

Total Hours: 200.25

Becca SchulerLaurel Tree Charter SchoolMarty ReedLewis CMichelle “Moss” WurlitzerArcata LumberLonny Grafman

Thank You