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A 50 g air-track glider is repelled by a post fixed at one
Chapter 10, Problem 61P(choose chapter or problem)
Problem 61P
A 50 g air-track glider is repelled by a post fixed at one end of the track. It is hypothesized that the glider’s potential energy is U = c/x, where x is the distance from the post and c is an unknown constant. To test this hypothesis, you launch the glider with the same speed at various distances from the post and then use a motion detector to measure its speed when it is 1.0 m from the post. Your data are as follows:
Initial distance (cm) |
Speed at 1.0 m (m/s) |
2.0 |
1.40 |
4.0 |
0.98 |
6.0 |
0.79 |
8.0 |
0.68 |
a. Do the data support the hypothesis? To find out, you’ll need to compare the shape of an appropriate graph to a theoretical prediction.
b. Find an experimental value for c. Don’t forget to determine the appropriate units.
Hint: Both the slope and the y-intercept of the graph are important.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Problem 61P
A 50 g air-track glider is repelled by a post fixed at one end of the track. It is hypothesized that the glider’s potential energy is U = c/x, where x is the distance from the post and c is an unknown constant. To test this hypothesis, you launch the glider with the same speed at various distances from the post and then use a motion detector to measure its speed when it is 1.0 m from the post. Your data are as follows:
Initial distance (cm) |
Speed at 1.0 m (m/s) |
2.0 |
1.40 |
4.0 |
0.98 |
6.0 |
0.79 |
8.0 |
0.68 |
a. Do the data support the hypothesis? To find out, you’ll need to compare the shape of an appropriate graph to a theoretical prediction.
b. Find an experimental value for c. Don’t forget to determine the appropriate units.
Hint: Both the slope and the y-intercept of the graph are important.
ANSWER:
Step 1 of 4
The objective here is to validate the feasibility of a glider to get repelled by a post fixed at one end of a track. For this, we need to plot a graph based on the experimental values given in the problem statement. Also, we need to determine the constant of proportionality in the expression connecting potential energy and position.
Part (a)