Product description Key benefits - Visual, hands-on demonstration of motion on a vertical circular path, enhancing understanding of circular motion, energy exchange, and gravity in intermediate physics. - Reusable and adjustable: start the ball from different heights to observe how the ball’s ability to reach the circle changes, promoting inquiry and hypothesis testing. - Portable and self-contained: simple desk-top setup with a stable base frame, compatible with standard lab or classroom surfaces. - Durable construction: components include a sturdy base frame, round rail, steel balls, plastic magazines, and ball bags designed for repeated use. - Clear observation of limits: reveals the threshold starting height below which the ball cannot complete the circular path, and highlights how small changes near that threshold affect the trajectory. What’s included - Base frame for stable setup - Round rail and associated track components - Steel balls for rolling demonstrations - Plastic magazines for guiding or collecting balls - Ball bags for capturing the ball after it travels the track - Additional hardware and accessories to assemble and modify the track arrangement How it works - Setup: Place the rail on the desk, align the base frame, and secure the components so the track forms a vertical layout. - Begin: Release the steel ball from the highest point of the inclined rail. The ball rolls down and enters the circular rail-shaped track in the vertical plane. - Continue: After reaching the upper-most point without falling, the ball continues along the track to another inclined section and moves into a bag. - Repeat and vary: Repeat the process to roll the ball down the ramp several times while gradually reducing the starting height. - Observations: As the starting height decreases, you will see the ball failing to reach the highest point of the circle when below a certain height. When near the highest point, the ball may deviate from a perfect track contact, producing an oblique upward throw and a curved path deviation. Specific use scenarios - Classroom demonstration: Illustrate energy transfer, momentum, and the limits of circular motion in a visible, repeatable experiment suitable for lessons on dynamics and gravity. - Lab activity: Reproduce measurements of starting height versus success in completing the circular path; analyze trajectories and compare with theoretical expectations. - Home or hobby science: A compact, tangible physics project to explore how small changes in starting conditions affect motion on complex paths. Specifications and attributes - Function: Demonstrates motion of objects on a vertical circular path with a track-based, hands-on setup. - Compatibility: Designed to sit on a desk or flat surface with the base frame providing stable alignment of rail and track components. - Size and layout: Compact desktop configuration suitable for classroom desks and lab benches; includes a base frame and round rail assembly. - Materials: Steel balls; round rail; plastic magazines and ball bags; built for repeated use in educational settings. - Performance: Shows clear differences in trajectory as starting height is varied; highlights that the ball cannot reach the highest point when the starting height falls below a defined threshold, with near-highest-point behavior producing oblique throwing paths. Notes on use - Ensure the base frame is level and the rail is securely attached before starting any demonstration. - Use the plastic magazines and ball bags to manage the balls between trials and prevent misplacement during setups. - For best visibility, perform demonstrations on a clean, flat desk surface and in a well-lit area. Safety and maintenance - Use standard steel balls and the included track components as designed; avoid forcing components beyond their intended alignment. - After use, inspect the rail and base connections for looseness and re-tighten as needed to maintain stability. This product provides a clear, repeatable, and durable platform for exploring motion on a vertical circular path, with practical demonstrations, versatile applications, and durable construction suitable for educational settings.