PURPOSE: To show the conservation of momentum.
DESCRIPTION: Two air track gliders have equal mass and are placed at the center of
the air track. Use tweezers to load a firecracker into the special
holder. Do NOT latch the holder lock so that the gliders are allowed to split
apart and take care to maintain the exact center position of the air track. Light the
firecracker. The gliders move apart in opposite directions with equal momentum and
rebound from each end of the air track. They rejoin in the middle of the air track
and a latch holds them together.
EQUIPMENT: Gliders with interlocking firecracker holder are stored in mechanics. Airtrack, blower, matches, tweezers.
SETUP NOTES: Carefully Balance the track in the class the day before use.