This article describes a simple, inexpensive method for collecting force and motion data from a completely inelastic collision. We describe the use of an inductive magnetic interaction to produce a collision that involves no physical contact and occurs on a sufficiently slow time scale for detailed analysis. The resulting collision will be engaging for introductory high school or college students. We also describe intriguing and reproducible features of the time-dependent force interaction that student can explore in more advanced physics courses.
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Pasco Smart Carts can be purchased from <https://www.pasco.com>. The same experiment can be done with other carts that have both motion and force sensing capability such as <https://www.vernier.com/products/accessories/motion-encoder-cart-upgrade-kits/dts-mec>.
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See supplementary material at http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.5042538 for slow motion video, inelastic collision tutorial, and inelastic collision data.
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PhET Faraday's Electromagnetic Lab <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/faraday>
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This force could also be referred to as a magnetic force or a magnetic induction force.
© 2018 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2018
American Association of Physics Teachers
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