Push Me Push You
PIRA: 1H10.10
Overview:
When the two volunteers push or pull on each other, we can see that there is a reaction pair since both of the carts will move towards or away from each other at roughly the same speed.
Materials:
2x Push carts
Basketball filled with water
Tug rope
Setup:
Place the carts against a wall or table, and the other equipment on a table for easy access
How to:
Get two volunteers that are around the same mass. Place the carts on level ground facing each other, and have them each sit on one of the carts facing each other. For one activity, you may have them use their hands to push away from each other. Another activity is to have them pass a water filled ball to each other. Just inform them that they should try to keep the ball from touching the floor when it is passed. A third activity would be to attach the tug rope to one cart and give the handle to the person on the other cart. Then move the carts as far apart as they can be without the rope being let go. Once that is done, then have the volunteer pull the rope.
Safety:
Make sure the volunteers do not exert too much force on each other, and do not pull the rope as hard as they can.