Two dart guns are fired straight downward at the same time. But the darts have been modified. One dart has a cork ball attached. The other has a steel ball attached. Which one hits first?
In class, we engage in a guided think-pair-share discussion. The guiding document can be found here:
The Newtonian Shot
I generally get good arguments for the light dart hitting first and for a tie. I'm lucky to have such engaged students!
Only after all arguments have been expressed and represented do I proceed with the demo. In class, I shoot the darts from guns suspended from a support bar structure attached to a ceiling I-beem.
For high-speed video goodness, I shot the pair outside in the blazing late afternoon light in sunny Sacramento.
Here's the 600-fps clip. Enjoy that cork ball bounce!
Here's the 1200-fps clip.
You might reasonable worry about finding the type of spring-loaded dart gun that works for this demo. You need a hard stick dart—Nerf darts or soft rubber darts simply won't do. They seemed to be available everywhere when I was a kid. But safety worries and lawsuits made them an endangered species. Fortunately Arbor Scientific is able to get them.
Arbor Scientific Dart Gun
1 comment:
Thanks! I use this demo and having the high speed videos was helpful in convincing some skeptical students.
There is an updated ArborSci link for the dart gun: ArborSci
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