This lab investigates conservation of momentum using video analysis of colliding "air pucks". The pucks are battery powered (and the batteries are rather difficult to change), so please remind students to turn them off when not in use. A digital video camera is used to capture the motion. The camera sits on the end of a long arm suspended over the floor. The arm may be raised and lowered by pushing up at the appropriate locations on the arm. Pushing near the post will raise the arm, while pushing up near the camera will release the arm allowing it to lower (not always smoothly).
Analysis of the video is straightforward using "Logger Pro" on the classroom computers - all steps are outlined in the manual.