Skate and grab: Qualitative Testing Experiment

Aim

Another test of your circular motion model

Prior Knowledge

• Circular motion.

Description of the Experiment

Eugenia and David skate towards each other (slightly off line). As they pass each other, they link hands. Predict how they will move after they have linked hands. Use your knowledge of Newton's second law as applied to circular motion. What assumptions are you making? Then watch the video.

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Questions

Now that you have watched the video, did your prediction agree with what you observed? If your prediction did not match the outcome of the experiment, think of whether you need to revise the general reasoning or your assumptions to explain what you see. Decide what is the difference between the motion of David and Eugenia after they start holding hands. What other objects in addition to Eugenia exert forces on David?