Penny on Glider: Application Experiment

Aim

To apply Newton's first law to explain the behavior of a penny on a glider.

Prior Knowledge

• Kinematics: position, velocity and acceleration.
• Newton's First Law.
• Reference frames.

Description of the Experiment

Observe the experiment. Then use Newton's first law to explain what happens to the penny when the glider is being pushed and during and after the collision of the glider with the other glider.

Addtional Information

Imagine that you are sitting on the glider with the penny, holding firmly to it. How can you explain your observations? Think about the observers for whom Newton's first law is valid and the observers for whom it is not valid.

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Questions

Explain the path of the penny after it fell off the glider. Use force diagrams and motion diagrams.