Exploring Interactions Between Attractive Magnets

Now we will add interactions to our car. The interactions will occur between magnets on the car and magnets along the track.

The diagram below shows you how to set up the experiment:

Figure 4: The experiment arrangement for the car interacting with magnets.

Figure 5: A car with a magnet and a magnet holder.

The magnets should be arranged to attract the car. Place a magnet on top of the car and then position the magnets on the holder so that they have the opposite polarity to the end of the car magnet closest to them.

Push the cart and watch carefully as it goes through the magnets. If the car does not go beyond the magnets, try again with a stronger push.


How did the speed of the cart change as it approached and then passed the magnets? Write down your observations about all speed changes.


Draw a rough sketch of the speed changes vs. distance and then kinetic energy vs. distance. Describe the graphs you sketch below: