Beyond Labz

Available Items

Items available for the various experiments that can be performed in the virtual collisions laboratory are described below.

Objects
Bucket of Balls. The bucket of balls is used in billiard ball type experiments. The effect of rolling friction can be studied as well as conservation of momentum. Users can choose up to fifteen balls at once.

Frictions
Rolling Friction. Rolling friction simulates the frictional forces associated with a ball as it slides down a ramp and starts to roll. Different materials can be chosen for the object and ramp to define the magnitude of the friction. Rolling friction is used in ramp motion and billiard ball motion experiments.

Forces
Plunger. The plunger is used to impart a short duration force or impact on a ball. The magnitude of the impact can be adjusted, and the plunger can be attached at various angles to the balls.

Gravities
Upward Gravity. The upward gravity is used to apply gravity in an upward direction. The strength of the gravity can be adjusted. Although the motion area appears vertical when viewed from the monitor, gravitational forces must be applied explicitly.
Downward Gravity. The downward gravity is used to apply gravity in a downward direction similar to what would be experienced on a planet or moon. The strength of the gravity can be adjusted.
Right Gravity. The right gravity is used to apply gravity in a rightward direction. The strength of the gravity can be adjusted.
Left Gravity. The left gravity is used to apply gravity in a leftward direction. The strength of the gravity can be adjusted.

Allowable Combinations

Only certain combinations of the stockroom items can be selected from the stockroom. The focal object is the object that will be in motion, and the allowed objects are forces and frictions that can be applied to the focal object. These combinations are as follows.

	Ramp, Rocket or Plunger, Air Friction, Rolling Friction, Any Gravity
	Plunger, Rolling Friction, Upward Gravity, Downward Gravity, Right Gravity, Left Gravity

Preset Experiments

When allowed by the instructor, the Lab Presets list gives access to a list of 4 collisions experiments that are predefined and ready to run. To select one of these experiments, click on the Presets tab and then click on the desired experiment. The appropriate objects, forces, or gravities will be automatically selected and placed in the Transfer Tray or the table. The following point should be kept in mind: The preset experiments that are included cover only a small of the fundamental collisions experiments that demonstrate important concepts. These preset experiments are only a small set of the large number of experiments that can be designed and implemented in this simulation.