Teach with MATLAB and Simulink

"Air Track Collisions Lab" Courseware

Course Materials Include:

  • Lab description
  • 3 Simscape Multibody models
  • Live script lab manual
  • Solutions live script

Air Track Collisions Lab

This interactive module explores one-dimensional collisions using a virtual air track model. Virtual air track models include elastic collisions, inelastic collisions, and a cart with hanging mass. These materials are designed to be flexible and easily modified to accommodate a variety of teaching and learning methods. The live scripts include background, pre-lab, virtual experiment using interactive models, and data analysis sections.

Learning Goals

  • Compare inelastic and elastic collisions
  • Use conservation laws to predict motion after collision
  • Measure the velocities of carts using photogate readings
  • Compute momentum and energy from experimental observations
  • Assess conservation of momentum
  • Assess conservation of energy

Have any questions or feedback? Contact the MathWorks online teaching team.

Download the free physics courseware module using MATLAB and Simulink.