Air Track Experiment: Explaining the Velocity Increase

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an air track experiment involving a glider, specifically exploring the reasons for a slight increase in the glider's velocity beyond frictional effects. Participants examine various factors that could influence the glider's motion, including the setup of the air track and the dynamics of air flow around the glider.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the increase in velocity could be due to air particles discharged by the air track applying a small force on the glider, in addition to the force keeping it afloat.
  • Another participant questions the alignment of the air track, implying that any imperfections in its straightness or horizontal positioning could affect the glider's motion.
  • A participant proposes that if the force applied to the glider is not at its center, it could create a small angle, leading to a change in velocity.
  • Another participant explains that if one end of the glider is heavier, it will rest at an angle, causing different air flow dynamics that could result in a change in velocity.
  • There is a request for clarification regarding the terms "forwards" and "backwards" air flow, with an explanation that these terms refer to the net direction of air flow influenced by the glider's angle.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various hypotheses about the factors influencing the glider's velocity, but there is no consensus on which factors are most significant or how they interact. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the primary reasons for the observed increase in velocity.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the implications of the air track's setup or the specific mechanics of air flow, leaving some assumptions unaddressed.

mathsgeek
Messages
63
Reaction score
0
I have just done an experiment with a glider on an air track and applied a force to it. Its velocity increased very slightly and was wondering are there any reasons, other than friction, why the velocity could change during motion? Thanks

I thought this but i don't know if its right "There is a logical explanation for why the velocity of the glider increased during motion for reasons other than friction. This is due to the air discharged by the air track, used to make the glider float and eliminate friction, disturbed the glider and possibly applied a small force to the glider, making the glider’s velocity increase by a small fraction. While there is force being applied by the air underneath the glider to keep it afloat, some of the air particles from the air that is discharged and is not covered by the glider, located on either side of the glider, may have applied this force. "

Any suggestions would help.
 
Science news on Phys.org
Are you sure the air track was perfectly straight and perfectly horizontal?
 
Yes I am pretty sure, a lab technician actually did it so i would assume they would know How to do it. Is my suggestion incorrect? Tell me your suggestions how it would increase motion if it wasnt perfctly straight or the way other factos could have affected it? Thanks very much, I am having trouble thinking of any.
 
If the force wasn't applied to the exact center of the glider, then a small angle would result, causing a change in velocity.
 
Could you explain it a bit more cause i don't really understand it? Thanks. Any other suggestions would help also
 
If one end of the glider is relatively heavier than the other end, then it will rest at an angle on the upwards air flow, and since it's at an angle, the "forwards" air flow from the glider will be different than the "backwards" air flow, resulting the in a change in velocity of the glider. If the "front end" is heavier, the glider moves forwards, and vice versa.
 
Thanks. Btw what do you mean by "fowards" and "backwards" air flow?
 
mathsgeek said:
What do you mean by "fowards" and "backwards" air flow?
That there would be a net component of forward or backward air flow if the glider were at an angle. Air would tend to flow towards the end with the larger gap.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Does Newton's or Galileo's first law depend on gravity?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
How Does Cutting the String Affect the Motion of Air Track Gliders?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
11K
Graduate Elastic collisions and Newton's third law
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad Thermodynamics: The Jet Engine
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Graduate Linear Momentum and the center of mass
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Undergrad Newton's First Law of Motion is Wrong (Proven Wrong in This Thread)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
27K
High School (simple) Applying constant force - Newton's first Law
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Undergrad Apparent Discrepancy Between Two Definitions of Newton's First Law
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Fluid Dynamics: Maximizing Downforce Between a Robot and the Floor
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Undergrad When does the instantaneous velocity exist?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K