The device in the photographs below, called an inertial mass cart, runs along a track as seen in the photographs. Equal or unequal masses, or groups of masses, may be positioned at various places along the two arms, and the cart may then be allowed to accelerate down the inclined track.
Suppose that two equal masses are again positioned on the rod, but the one at the rear is placed further from the swivel, as shown in the photograph at the right below. Now what will happen when the rod is released? Click your mouse on the photograph at the right to obtain the definitive result.
Suppose that the cart and the rod are held in position with the track tilted, as seen in the photograph at the left above, with equal masses at equal distances from the pivot. What will happen when the cart and the rod are released simultaneously from that position so that the cart is allowed to accelerate down the track with the rod initially perpendicular to the track?
As the cart accelerates down the inclined track, the crossarm will:
Now suppose that the cart and the rod are held in position with the track tilted as seen in the photograph at the right above, with equal masses on the arms but with the mass toward the rear further from the pivot. What will happen when the cart and the rod are released simultaneously from that position so that the cart is allowed to accelerate down the track with the rod initially perpendicular to the track?
As the cart accelerates down the inclined track, the crossarm will:
Click here for Answer #115 after May 6, 2002.
