A traditional problem has a particle sliding down an incline on a movable wedge. An airtrack glider was modified to serve as such a system; the measured results for the acceleration were compared to predictions based on a model (a) neglecting friction and (b) including friction. Some experimental considerations are discussed. The system exhibits interesting features, including an angle of maximum acceleration that has a value dependent on the coefficient of friction on the incline.
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© 1988 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1988
American Association of Physics Teachers
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