| Demonstrates: This demonstration may be used to motivate calculations of elastic collisions between differing masses. It is also useful to demonstrate the use of a “gravitational slingshot” or gravity assist to boost a spacecraft’s speed. |
| Description: When the stack of balls is dropped, the top ball bounces significantly higher than its starting position (a drop of only about 2 feet is sufficient to send the top ball almost to the ceiling of Regener 103). The elastic collision of the descending top ball with the rebounding, larger lower balls is symmetric in the center-of-mass frame, but this frame is moving upward rapidly.
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| Instructions: Add small red ball to the stack of larger balls held together by plastic rod. Drop so that red ball is facing the ceiling. As apparatus hits the floor/desk, red ball will shoot off.
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| Items Used: Ninja Balls apparatus. Notes: Math Description: None.
Size: small Condition: Good Hazard: None.
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| Schematic:
None. Tech Specs:
None. Web Links: |
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| History: |
