MIT Physics Demo -- Low Friction Atwood Machine

A string carrying two weights is hung over a low friction bearing mounted pulley. The weights have slightly different masses, causing a uniform acceleration. When the time it takes the weights to move 1 meter is timed, we can calculate the acceleration of the system due to gravity. Because of the low amount of friction in the system, this value is very close to the theoretical value.

See the original posting on MIT TechTV - http://techtv.mit.edu/videos/818-mit-physics-demo----low-friction-atwood-machine

Category:

Education

Tags:

• mit
• mittechtv
• science
• engineering
• introductory
• demo
• timer
• pulley
• physics
• demonstration
• mechanics
• weight
• acceleration

[ajkpchee1]

i have never been more amazed/stimulated in my life.

[Ozziguy6]

I love how the lab coat is not necessary at all

[Ozziguy6]

@berniebay YOU ARE CORRECT SIR! I am never taking my lab coat off again!

[berniebay]

@Ozziguy6

This is science, dammit! Of course it's necessary!

[derekroolz]

@9hello123 There is no percent of error when I refuse to observe! SCIENCE=BLASPHEMY YOU ALL WILL BURN AT THE STAKE!!!!!

[Brainbust100]

It did not take longer the first time, the actor just reacted late when he clicked the stopwatch. The second time, he was more prepared, and pushed the button sooner.

[newage4energy]

Interesting, but how efficient can this be? Got any numbers?

[LizzyAston]

can someone explain why this is so awesome?

[MultiSeeker007]

The value of g I calculated from this demonstration is 9.555 m/s^2 or 2.6 % error from the reference value of g. Not too bad .

[TheoMarkAllen]

that guy isn't timing it correctly.

[9hello123]

@ramanturbz Whys this been thumbed up? Theres a percent error in everything, congrats for pointing that out?