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| 1 | +<a id="T_DEF03274"></a> |
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1 | 3 | # <span style="color:rgb(213,80,0)">Air Track Collisions Lab</span> |
| 4 | +<a id="H_053613DF"></a> |
2 | 5 |
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3 | 6 |
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4 | 7 | [](https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/94230-air-track-collisions-lab) or [](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=README.mlx) |
5 | 8 |
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6 | | -[](https://MathWorks-Teaching-Resources.github.io/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab) |
| 9 | +[](https://MathWorks-Teaching-Resources.github.io/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab) |
7 | 10 |
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8 | 11 | **Curriculum Module** |
9 | 12 |
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10 | | -_Created with R2021a. Compatible with R2024a and later releases._ |
| 13 | +_Created with R2026a. Compatible with R2026a and later releases._ |
11 | 14 |
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12 | 15 | # Information |
13 | 16 |
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14 | 17 | This curriculum module contains interactive [MATLAB® live scripts](https://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/live-editor.html) that explore one\-dimensional collisions using a virtual air track. The air track can be configured to model elastic or inelastic collisions. |
15 | 18 |
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| 19 | +<a id="H_F00D98E4"></a> |
16 | 20 |
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17 | 21 | ## Background |
18 | 22 |
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19 | 23 | <img src="Images/image_0.png" width="770" alt="image_0.png"> |
20 | 24 |
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21 | | - |
22 | 25 | You can use these live scripts as demonstrations in lectures, class activities, or interactive assignments outside class. This module covers elastic and inelastic collisions. It also includes examples of energy conservation. The live scripts contain instructions for conducting experiments using the virtual air track. The instructions include theory, pre\-lab, virtual experiment, and data analysis sections. The law of conservation of momentum is studied by simulating elastic and inelastic collisions. The law of conservation of energy is studied by attaching a hanging mass to one of the carts. |
23 | 26 |
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24 | | - |
25 | 27 | The instructions inside the live scripts will guide you through the exercises and activities. Get started with each live script by running it one section at a time. To stop running the script or a section midway (for example, when an animation is in progress), use the <img src="Images/image_1.png" width="19" alt="image_1.png"> Stop button in the **RUN** section of the **Live Editor** tab in the MATLAB Toolstrip. |
26 | 28 |
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27 | 29 | ## Contact Us |
28 | 30 |
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29 | 31 | Contact the [MathWorks Educator Content Development Team](mailto:onlineteaching@mathworks.com) if you would like to provide feedback, or if you have a question. |
30 | 32 |
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| 33 | +<a id="H_30BC7141"></a> |
31 | 34 |
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32 | 35 | ## Prerequisites |
33 | 36 |
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34 | 37 | This module assumes knowledge of foundational physics principles and classical mechanics. |
35 | 38 |
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36 | 40 |
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37 | 41 | ## Getting Started |
| 42 | + |
38 | 43 | ### Accessing the Module |
| 44 | + |
39 | 45 | ### **On MATLAB Online:** |
40 | 46 |
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41 | 47 | Use the [<img src="Images/image_2.png" width="136" alt="image_2.png">](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj) link to download the module. You will be prompted to log in or create a MathWorks account. The project will be loaded, and you will see an app with several navigation options to get you started. |
42 | 48 |
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43 | 49 | ### **On Desktop:** |
44 | 50 |
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45 | | -Download or clone this repository. Open MATLAB, navigate to the folder containing these scripts and double\-click on [Air\_Track\_Lab.prj](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=README.mlx). It will add the appropriate files to your MATLAB path and open an app that asks you where you would like to start. |
46 | | - |
| 51 | +Download or clone this repository. Open MATLAB, navigate to the folder containing these scripts and double\-click on [Air\_Track\_Lab.prj](<matlab: openProject("Air_Track_Lab.prj")>). It will add the appropriate files to your MATLAB path and open an app that asks you where you would like to start. |
47 | 52 |
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48 | | -Ensure you have all the required products (listed below) installed. If you need to include a product, add it using the Add\-On Explorer. To install an add\-on, go to the **Home** tab and select <img src="Images/image_3.png" width="16" alt="image_3.png"> **Add-Ons** > **Get Add-Ons**. |
| 53 | +Ensure you have all the required products ([listed below](#H_E850B4FF)) installed. If you need to include a product, add it using the Add\-On Explorer. To install an add\-on, go to the **Home** tab and select <img src="Images/image_3.png" width="16" alt="image_3.png"> **Add-Ons** > **Get Add-Ons**. |
49 | 54 |
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| 55 | +<a id="H_E850B4FF"></a> |
50 | 56 |
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51 | 57 | ## Products |
52 | | -- MATLAB® |
53 | | -- Simulink® |
54 | | -- Simscape™ |
| 58 | +- MATLAB® |
| 59 | +- Simulink® |
| 60 | +- Simscape™ |
| 61 | + |
| 62 | +<a id="H_E8C62B23"></a> |
55 | 63 |
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56 | 64 | # Scripts |
57 | | -## [**Theory.mlx**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/Theory.mlx) |
58 | | -| | | |
| 65 | + |
| 66 | +## [**Theory**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/Theory.mlx) |
| 67 | +||| |
59 | 68 | | :-- | :-- | |
60 | 69 | | <img src="Images/image_4.png" width="171" alt="image_4.png"> <br> | **In this script, students will...** <br> $\bullet$ Learn about the theoretical background of collisions. <br> | |
61 | | -| | | |
62 | 70 |
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63 | | -## [**Prelab.mlx**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/Prelab.mlx) |
64 | | -| | | |
| 71 | +## [**Prelab**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/Prelab.mlx) |
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65 | 73 | | :-- | :-- | |
66 | 74 | | <img src="Images/image_5.png" width="171" alt="image_5.png"> <br> | **In this script, students will...** <br> $\bullet$ Learn about the virtual lab setup. <br> $\bullet$ Perform introductory calculations. <br> | |
67 | | -| | | |
68 | 75 |
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69 | | -## [**VirtualLab.mlx**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/VirtualLab.mlx) |
70 | | -| | | |
| 76 | +## [**VirtualLab**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/VirtualLab.mlx) |
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71 | 78 | | :-- | :-- | |
72 | 79 | | <img src="Images/image_6.png" width="171" alt="image_6.png"> <br> | **In this script, students will...** <br> $\bullet$ Run simulations with the virtual lab. <br> | |
73 | | -| | | |
74 | 80 |
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75 | | -## [**ElasticCollisions.mlx**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/ElasticCollisions.mlx) |
76 | | -| | | |
| 81 | +## [**ElasticCollisions**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/ElasticCollisions.mlx) |
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77 | 83 | | :-- | :-- | |
78 | 84 | | <img src="Images/image_7.png" width="171" alt="image_7.png"> <br> | **In this script, students will...** <br> $\bullet$ Conduct experiment with elastic collision. <br> $\bullet$ Perform measurements. <br> $\bullet$ Calculate velocities before and after collision. <br> | |
79 | | -| | | |
80 | 85 |
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81 | | -## [**InelasticCollisions.mlx**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/InelasticCollisions.mlx) |
82 | | -| | | |
| 86 | +## [**InelasticCollisions**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/InelasticCollisions.mlx) |
| 87 | +||| |
83 | 88 | | :-- | :-- | |
84 | 89 | | <img src="Images/image_8.png" width="171" alt="image_8.png"> <br> | **In this script, students will...** <br> $\bullet$ Conduct experiment with inelastic collision. <br> $\bullet$ Perform measurements. <br> $\bullet$ Calculate velocities before and after collision. <br> | |
85 | | -| | | |
86 | 90 |
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87 | | -## [**EnergyConservation.mlx**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/EnergyConservation.mlx) |
88 | | -| | | |
| 91 | +## [**EnergyConservation**](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab&project=Air_Track_Lab.prj&file=Scripts/EnergyConservation.mlx) |
| 92 | +||| |
89 | 93 | | :-- | :-- | |
90 | 94 | | <img src="Images/image_9.png" width="171" alt="image_9.png"> <br> | **In this script, students will...** <br> $\bullet$ Compute momentum and energy from experimental observations. <br> $\bullet$ Assess conservation of momentum. <br> $\bullet$ Assess conservation of energy. <br> | |
91 | | -| | | |
92 | 95 |
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93 | 96 | # Related Courseware Modules |
94 | 97 |
|
| 98 | +<a id="H_868F5748"></a> |
| 99 | + |
95 | 100 | ## [Virtual Measurement of the Electron to Mass ratio](https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/94540-virtual-measurement-of-e-m-lab) |
96 | | -| | | |
| 101 | +||| |
97 | 102 | | :-- | :-- | |
98 | 103 | | <img src="Images/image_10.png" width="171" alt="image_10.png"> <br> | **Available on:** <br> [<img src="Images/image_11.png" width="91" alt="image_11.png">](https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/94540-virtual-measurement-of-e-m-lab) <br> [<img src="Images/image_12.png" width="136" alt="image_12.png">](https://matlab.mathworks.com/open/github/v1?repo=MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Virtual-Measurement-of-the-Electron-Charge-To-Mass-Ratio-Lab&file=emLab.mlx) <br> [GitHub](https://github.com/MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Virtual-Measurement-of-the-Electron-Charge-To-Mass-Ratio-Lab) <br> | |
99 | | -| | | |
100 | | - |
101 | 104 |
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102 | 105 | Or feel free to explore our other [modular courseware content](https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/?q=tag%3A%22courseware+module%22&sort=downloads_desc_30d). |
103 | 106 |
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104 | 107 | # Educator Resources |
105 | | -- [Educator Page](https://www.mathworks.com/academia/educators.html) |
| 108 | +- [Educator Page](https://www.mathworks.com/academia/educators.html) |
| 109 | + |
| 110 | +<a id="H_0FA5DA18"></a> |
106 | 111 |
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107 | 112 | # Contribute |
108 | 113 |
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109 | 114 | Looking for more? Find an issue? Have a suggestion? Please contact the [MathWorks Educator Content Development Team](mailto:%20onlineteaching@mathworks.com). If you want to contribute directly to this project, you can find information about how to do so in the [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/MathWorks-Teaching-Resources/Air-Track-Collisions-Lab/blob/release/CONTRIBUTING.md) page on GitHub. |
110 | 115 |
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111 | | - |
112 | 116 | *©* Copyright 2025 The MathWorks™, Inc |
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