Water Stream on a Moving Car Apparatus


This was the second demonstration I used in my presentations.  It was based upon the Ballistic Car demonstration illustrated below.  I had intended to modify this demonstration by utilizing remote control to control the car and release the projectile.  However, in the end I ended up keeping the remote control of the car, but using a stream of water as a constant source of projectiles rather than a ball.  In any case the principle still remains the same.  A stream of water is shot vertically into the air and the car is then put into motion.

This demonstration illustrates the independence of the x and y components of a projectile path by showing that the shape of the stream of water remains fairly constant while the car is in constant horizontal motion.  This property is shown most effectively by having the stream shoot vertically in the air.   When the car is accelerating and decelerating the shape of the stream does not remain constant.
 

Initial Idea for the Remote Control Ballistic Car:

Materials needed for Car:

  • remote control car with added feature (?controllable lights?) that will be modified into launch trigger
  • spring-loaded launcher
  • possible funneled opening for ease of capture of ball
  • projectile ball (metal ball)
  • In the end, these were the actual materials that were used: Final Product that was created:
    (water stream has been digitally enhanced for greater visibility)


     

    Notice the shape of the green water stream remains vertical in the centre three pictures (constant velocity), but curved in the top and bottom pictures (accelerating and decelerating)
     
     

    Things This Apparatus Demonstates:

    1. Independence of vertical and horizontal components of projectile motion
    Presentation Script
     
     


    Return To Introduction