Galileo and Inertia
Using an experiment with inclined planes, Galileo developed the concept of inertia. Let's attempt to recreate Galileo's inclined plane experiment.
Let's start by downloading the PhET "Energy Skate Park" simulation from the University of Colorado at Boulder. To download the "Energy Skate Park" simulation, just click on "Click to Run" on the image at the right. The simulation should start downloading. If you are asked if you want to keep the file, select "Keep." See the image below. Finish downloading and opening the simulation. Note: You will likely need to click on a rectangle in the left-hand corner of your screen to finish downloading the simulation.
|
Use your mouse pointer to drag the skater along the left-hand side of the track up to the line labeled with the number 6. See the image below. Click on the image to enlarge it.
When the skater is on the left-hand side of the track on the line labeled with the number 6, release the skater, and watch him as he rolls down the left-hand side of the track and then back up the right-hand side of the track. Pay close attention to how far up the right-hand side the skater goes. After you have watched the skater go up and down both sides a few times, answer the question in the poll at the right. |
|