Marble Ramps for Physics

This is a small model that can be used to explore a number of concepts in kinematics and mechanical energy.

The ramps are 15, 30 and 45 degrees away from the vertical.

By using a photogate along the bottom of the ramp, the velocities of a marble can be measured. This information can be used to design student explorations around average velocity, instantaneous velocity and mechanical (kinetic and gravitational potential) energy.

Since it is summer, I have not had the equipment to see how effective the design is yet in terms of verifying that the final velocities at the bottom of the ramp should be comparable; I will update when I have the chance to do so.

I've also uploaded the .f3d file from Fusion. The ramp widths and heights are parametrically designed so if you wanted to change the size of them it would be straightforward.