Exploring Interactions Between Repulsive Magnets

The experimental arrangement in this activity is similar to the previous one. The major difference is that we will arrange the magnets so that the ones along the track repel the one on the car. Again, we will try to imagine what the situation would be if the friction between the wheels of the car and the track was extremely small.

• Use the same set up as in the previous tutorial and arrange the magnets so that the magnets along the rack repel the magnets on the car. Push the car and watch carefully as it goes through the magnets. In the first observations we wish to consider a situation in which the car has enough energy to go past the magnets along the track. If the car does not go beyond the magnets try again with a stronger push.

• As you did in tutorial 1, plot approximate graphs of speed vs. distance and kinetic energy vs. distance. You may create the graphs by laying a piece of paper along the track and sketching them there. Then, transfer the shape to the graphs below. Mark the location of the magnets on the distance axis.