Objective: Confirm the conservation of energy with the help of Maxwell’s wheel
Maxwell’s wheel is suspended from threads at both ends of its axle in such a way that it can roll along the threads. In the course of its motion, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and back again. The process of rolling up and down is repeated until the potential energy derived from the initial height of the wheel is entirely lost due to reflection losses and friction. In this experiment the movement of Maxwell’s wheel is recorded with an ultrasonic motion sensor. From the resulting displacement versus time graph the instantaneous speed of the wheel can be determined and thereby its kinetic energy can be calculated.
Coach 7 license required!
![Experiment: Maxwell’s Wheel, 8000753 [UE1040320-230/115], Rotational motions](/imagelibrary/UE1040320-230-115/UE1040320-230-115_01_Experiment-Maxwell-s-Wheel.jpg)
![Experiment: Maxwell’s Wheel, 8000753 [UE1040320-230/115], Rotational motions](/thumblibrary/UE1040320-230-115/UE1040320-230-115_01_1200_1200_Experiment-Maxwell-s-Wheel.jpg)
![Experiment: Maxwell’s Wheel, Supplement, 8000754 [UE1040320S], Rotational motions](/thumblibrary/UE1040320S/UE1040320S_01_140_140_Experiment-Maxwell-s-Wheel-Supplement.jpg)
![Universal Clamp, 1002830 [U13255], Clamps](/thumblibrary/U13255/U13255_01_140_140_Universal-Clamp.jpg)
![Stainless Steel Rod 1000 mm, 1002936 [U15004], Rods](/thumblibrary/U15004/U15004_01_140_140_Stainless-Steel-Rod-1000-mm.jpg)
![Tripod Stand 150 mm, 1002835 [U13270], Bases](/thumblibrary/U13270/U13270_01_140_140_Tripod-Stand-150-mm.jpg)
![Safety Experiment Leads, 75 cm, 2.5 mm², blue, red, (2 pcs), 1017718 [U13816], Experiment Leads and Cables](/thumblibrary/U13816/U13816_01_140_140_Safety-Experiment-Leads-75-cm-25-mm-blue-red-2-pcs.jpg)
![Photo Gate, 1000563 [U11365], Sensors for Physics](/thumblibrary/U11365/U11365_01_140_140_Photo-Gate.jpg)
![Pocket Measuring Tape, 2 m, 1002603 [U10073], Measurement of Length](/thumblibrary/U10073/U10073_01_140_140_Pocket-Measuring-Tape-2-m.jpg)
![Clamp with Hook, 1002828 [U13252], Clamps](/thumblibrary/U13252/U13252_01_140_140_Clamp-with-Hook.jpg)
![Maxwell‘s Wheel, 1000790 [U8408305], Oscillations](/thumblibrary/U8408305/U8408305_01_140_140_Maxwell-s-Wheel.jpg)
![Digital Counter (230 V, 50/60 Hz), 1001033 [U8533341-230], Digital Counters](/thumblibrary/U8533341-230/U8533341-230_01_140_140_Digital-Counter-230-V-5060-Hz.jpg)
![Stand with H-Shaped Base, 1018874 [U8557440], Tripods and Barrel Feet](/thumblibrary/U8557440/U8557440_01_140_140_Stand-with-H-Shaped-Base.jpg)
![Set of 15 Safety Experiment Leads, 75 cm, 2.5 mm², 1002843 [U138021], Circuits](/thumblibrary/U138021/U138021_01_140_140_Set-of-15-Safety-Experiment-Leads-75-cm-25-mm.jpg)
![Calipers, 150 mm, 1002601 [U10071], Measurement of Length](/thumblibrary/U10071/U10071_01_140_140_Calipers-150-mm.jpg)
![Stainless Steel Rod 100 mm, 1002932 [U15000], Rods](/thumblibrary/U15000/U15000_01_140_140_Stainless-Steel-Rod-100-mm.jpg)
![Stainless Steel Rod 750 mm, 1002935 [U15003], Stainless Steel Rod](/thumblibrary/U15003/U15003_01_140_140_Stainless-Steel-Rod-750-mm.jpg)
![Set of Helical Springs for Hooke‘s Law, 1003376 [U40816], Coil Springs](/thumblibrary/U40816/U40816_01_140_140_Set-of-Helical-Springs-for-Hooke-s-Law.jpg)
![Function Generator FG 100 (230 V, 50/60 Hz), 1009957 [U8533600-230], Function Generators](/thumblibrary/U8533600-230/U8533600-230_01_140_140_Function-Generator-FG-100-230-V-5060-Hz.jpg)
![Precision Dynamometer 2 N, 1003105 [U20033], Dynamometers](/thumblibrary/U20033/U20033_01_140_140_Precision-Dynamometer-2-N.jpg)
![Vibration generator -
for investigating oscillations and resonances, 1000701 [U56001], Oscillations](/thumblibrary/U56001/U56001_01_140_140_Vibration-generator-for-investigating-oscillations-and-resonances.jpg)