Approaching a Trap

When we study atoms, we will look at several situations where two objects attract each other and, thus, stay close together. For example, an electron and a proton become a hydrogen atom because of their attraction.

One way to learn about atoms is to consider the potential energy created by the attraction, then analyze the electron's total energy. To become prepared for that analysis we will now look at cars trapped by magnets.

We wish to establish a situation where the car is moving but it is trapped in a certain region of space. Arrange magnets (as many as you need) to create a situation where the car can be trapped in a region of space.

Answer the following questions below:

• Describe your arrangement of magnets.
• Draw a sketch of the potential energy diagram for this situation. Describe your sketch.
• Use the potential energy diagram to explain why your arrangement will result in a trapped car.

Now give the car a push that allows it to escape from the trap that you have created. Use energy to explain why the car can escape.

The following diagrams illustrate two possible situations for the car:
1. It is trapped in one region of space
2. It escapes from the region.

1. Trapped

2. Not trapped