Well, we're on a roll, so let's have another question dealing with the inertial mass cart; see Question #115 and Question #116 to review some aspects of this device.
The inertial mass cart in the photographs below 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. The cart may then be allowed to accelerate down the inclined track (photograph at left) or accelerated by a mass hanging over a pulley at the left end of the track (photograph at right).
Suppose that two unequal masses are positioned on the rod at equal distances from the pivot, with the one at the rear having the greater mass. The cart is positioned and held on the inclined track, as shown in the photograph at the left above. 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 inclined track with the rod initially perpendicular to the track?
As the cart accelerates down the track the arm will:
Now suppose that the cart and the rod are held in position with the track level as seen in the photograph at the right above, with unequal masses on the arms at equal distances from the pivot, and the greater mass toward the rear. The cart is now connected to a string passing over a pulley at the left end of the track with a mass hanging on the string. What will happen when the cart and the rod are released simultaneously from that position so that hanging mass accelerates the cart along the track, with the rod initially perpendicular to the track?
As the cart accelerates along the track, the arm will:
Click here for Answer #117 after May 20, 2002.
