PASCO ME-8957 ROTATIONAL ACCELERATION TANK - Manual

Instruction Sheet
for the PASCO
Model ME-8957
012-05771B
6/95
$1.00
better
teach science
ways to
Phone (916) 786-3800 • FAX (916) 786-8905 • email: [email protected]
10101 Foothills Blvd. • P.O. Box 619011 • Roseville, CA 95678-9011 USA
®
ROTATIONAL ACCELERATION TANK
Introduction
The ME-8957 Rotational Acceleration Tank is an
accessory for the ME-8951 Rotating Platform. One of
the more difficult concepts in mechanics for students
to grasp is the direction of acceleration in circular
motion. The Rotational Acceleration Tank can be used
to easily show the direction of the centripetal accelera-
tion as well as the effects of rotational motion on a
fluid.
Before beginning the rotational demonstration use the
Rotational Acceleration Tank or other fluid container
to show the effect of linear acceleration on a fluid.
Notice that the normal of a plane that is tangent to the
curved surface of the liquid points toward the direction
of acceleration. See Figure 1.
➧ NOTE: The Rotational Acceleration Tank has
been designed to stand upright on a desktop or
other stable surface.
Equipment
- Rotational Acceleration Tank assembly with
thumb screw and square nut (2 ea.)
Additional Equipment Required
- ME-8951 Rotating Platform
- ME-8955 Motor Drive (optional)
- SF-9584 Low Voltage Power Supply (optional)
Setup
➀ Assemble and level the ME-8951 Rotating Plat-
form. Include the ME-8955 Rotational Motor Drive
if desired.
➁
Center the Rotational Tank on the rotating plat-
form, so that the mounting Tabs are aligned with
the slot on top of the Rotating Platform. Slide into
place and secure with the T-slot attachment screws.
See Figure 2.
➧ NOTE: Clean the tank between uses if fluids
other than water are used.
➂
Fill the tank no more than half full with the liquid
of choice. Water with food coloring is the sug-
gested fluid, but mild solutions of different viscos-
ity can be used.
➃
Rotate the tank at the desired rate.
acceleration
Rotational
Acceleration Tank
tangential
plane
normal
table
fluid
ME-8957 ACCELERATION TANK ACCESSORY FOR USE WITH PASCO ME-8951 ROTATING PLATFORM
Figure 1: Linear Acceleration
© 1995 PASCO scientific
This instruction sheet written/edited by:
Robert Morrison