Hold the car 20cm from the Force Accessory Bracket.
Click the Start button, wait about one second, then release
the car. Data collection will automatically stop 0.3 seconds
after the car strikes the bracket.
Reminder: The cord of the Force Sensor will create a large
amount of drag on the car, so it must be moved along with
the car.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 for a total of three data runs with
the heavy spring attachment.
Replace the heavy spring with the light spring and repeat
steps 1-3.
Replace the light spring with the clay holder and shape
a piece of modeling clay into a cone. Press the cone of
clay into the holder.
Which type of collision produced the greatest force? Explain.
Which type of collision produced the least force? Explain.
What general relationship do you notice between the maximum
force and time of collision for the different types of collisions?
What pattern do you notice regarding the area under the
force-time graph for the various collisions?
Scientists define the impulse as the product of the force
and time. For your collisions, why can't you simply multiply
the maximum force by the collision time to get the impulse?
Why is the impulse in the clay collision so different
from the spring collisions?
Which of your collisions models an automobile air bag?
Explain.