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1G20.71 - Liquid Accelerometer on Inclined Plane

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​1G20.71 - Liquid Accelerometer on Inclined Track

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Title1G20.71 - Liquid Accelerometer on Inclined Track
Objective

Elegantly shows the inertial frame of the liquid. When the cart is freely accelerating down the track, the liquid level is parallel to the incline, and unintuitive result.​

StatusAvailable
Assembly Instructions

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Setup Time
Operation Time
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Operation Instructions

​A cart is released from a height on a track or launched up the track by the instructor. Initially the liquid is parallel to the earth. When the cart is launched, students must predict how the liquid will be aligned. 

ExportableNo
Demo on DimeNo
PIRA 200No
Export Instructions (if different)
HazardsNone
Analysis/Information

Initially, the liquid is level with the earth. When the cart is released or launched it experiences constant acceleration by gravity. The unique property of gravity (General Relativity) is that when you can't tell when you are being accelerated by it compared with if you are at rest (unless everything around you isn't in your frame, i.e. the ground below you should you choose to bungee-jump). For the enclosed liquid in the cart, the only force it is aware of is the normal force of the inclined track and so we see the liquid align parallel to the track, not to the earth.
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Category1 Mechanics
Subcategory1G - Newton's Second Law
Keywordsrelativity, accelerometer, incline
Construction Information
 
Equipment TitleUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
QuantityUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
cart - liquid accelerometer
1
flat metal track - 12'
1
block - wood
1