Arc Slider
19 Jan 2026 | by Marta
This is a circular arc track (a segment of a circle) designed as a physics experiment. It is perfect for demonstrating momentum and kinetic energy transfer.
🛠️ Project Details
- Ball Size: 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) marbles.
- STL file
- Onshape model
🔬 The Physics
When a ball rolls along this ramp, it behaves like a mathematical pendulum. It’s a great way to visualize harmonic motion and energy conservation!
🚀 The "Slingshot" Effect
While designed for 12.7mm balls, the real fun starts when you experiment with different ball diameters (I tested it with 35mm, 30mm, 25mm, and 6mm).
The Experiment:
- Line up the balls of different sizes next to each other at the bottom of the track.
- Push or drop the largest ball into the line.
- Watch the momentum transfer—the smallest ball will launch out of the track like a slingshot! 💥💨