======Air Track Demonstrations======


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**Alternative titles:** Low-Friction Air Track
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  * Refer to links below for demonstrations involving the air track.



====Links==== 
Physics Experiments with an Air Track - John Kielkopf: 
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Linear Air Track - Physics Lab Motion - Physics Rox by Ms Hoo: 
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📄 Air Track - Science First: [[https://sciencefirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/EA-01-Air-Track-Instructions.pdf]]\\


====Variations====
  * Elastic and inelastic collisions using spring bumpers vs hook-and-loop to compare momentum and energy changes.
  * Atwood-style setup with the end pulley and hanging mass to study acceleration and Newton’s second law.
  * Inclined plane by raising one end with riser blocks to explore constant acceleration down a small angle.
  * Mass dependence by adding rider masses to gliders and measuring resulting accelerations or post-collision speeds.
  * Multi-method velocity checks using photogates, strobe photos, or spark timers for technique comparison.

====Safety Precautions====
  * Keep hands, sleeves, and cables clear of the track while gliders are moving.
  * Do not overpressurize the air supply; use only the recommended range and secure all hoses to prevent sudden disconnection.
  * Ensure springs, bumpers, and screws are firmly attached so parts cannot become projectiles.
  * Place the track on a stable, level surface away from table edges to prevent falls.



====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does a glider maintain nearly constant speed on the air track after an initial push? (Because friction is greatly reduced, so net horizontal force is close to zero, implying nearly constant velocity.)
  * How can two different methods give the same acceleration value for an inclined setup? (Because acceleration is a property of the motion; whether computed from geometry and masses or measured from distance-time data, both should agree within experimental error.)
  * In an inelastic collision where two gliders stick together, what is conserved and what is not? (Linear momentum is conserved; kinetic energy decreases due to transformation into other forms.)
  * How does adding mass to a glider change its motion under the same pulling force? (Acceleration decreases according to a = F/m, assuming the same net external force.)