Fletcher Trolley
Product Code : EL-AM-10331
Quick answer: The Fletcher Trolley is an all-metal apparatus in which a trolley with removable cylindrical weights runs on a track of two 150 cm steel rods, pulled by a load on a cord over a frictionless pulley. A steel vibrator with brush and ink marks its motion. It is used to verify Newton's laws of motion under different conditions. Lab Exports manufactures it in Delhi for schools, colleges and universities.
Specifications
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Trolley | Metal, with removable cylindrical weights and low-friction wheels |
| Track | Two steel rods, 150 cm long |
| Frame | Heavy clamps on two vertical rods, on cast iron feet |
| Vibrator | Steel, fitted to one vertical rod |
| Pulley | Frictionless, fitted to the other vertical rod |
| Supplied with | Cord, scale pan, brush and ink |
| Construction | All metal; assembles and dismantles easily |
How the Fletcher trolley experiment is done
A load of mass m in the scale pan pulls the trolley of mass M along the track through a cord over the pulley. With friction small, the system accelerates at a = m g / (M + m), so changing the pan load changes the force and changing the cylindrical weights changes the mass. The steel vibrator, set swinging with its inked brush, draws a wavy trace on a paper strip fixed to the moving trolley; because the vibrator has a fixed period, the lengths of successive waves record the motion in equal time intervals.
- Assemble the track on its vertical rods and cast iron feet and level it so that the unloaded trolley stays at rest.
- Fix a paper strip on the trolley, ink the brush and set it to touch the paper.
- Attach the cord to the trolley, pass it over the pulley and add a load to the scale pan.
- Set the vibrator swinging and release the trolley so that the brush traces a wave on the moving strip.
- Measure successive wavelengths; equal increases show uniform acceleration, and a = (difference in wavelength) / T^2, where T is the period of the vibrator.
Repeating with different pan loads and trolley masses shows that the acceleration is proportional to the applied force and inversely proportional to the mass moved, which verifies F = m a.
Key features
- Metal trolley on low-friction wheels, with removable cylindrical weights to vary its mass
- Track of two steel rods, 150 cm long, held in heavy clamps
- Vertical rods on cast iron feet; the unit assembles and dismantles easily
- Steel vibrator with brush and ink for a timed trace of the motion
- Frictionless pulley, cord and scale pan for applying a known force
Documentation and supply
Installation instructions and a manual are supplied with the apparatus. Most Lab Exports products carry a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Lab Exports manufactures the Fletcher trolley at its works in Laxmi Nagar, Delhi, and supplies it to schools, colleges and universities in India and 60+ countries, handling the export documents for each shipment. More about the company is on the About Lab Exports page.
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- Inclined Plane Economy (EL-AM-10329)
- Universal Force Table (EL-AM-10333)
- Inclined Plane Euro (EL-AM-10328)
- Wheel and Axle, on Stand (EL-AM-10334)
The full range is in the Applied Mechanics section of the Physics Lab range.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Fletcher Trolley verify?
It verifies Newton's laws of motion, in particular F = m a, under different loading and force conditions.
How long is the track of the Fletcher trolley?
The track is two steel rods, each 150 cm long, held in heavy clamps on two vertical rods.
What accessories come with the Fletcher Trolley?
Cord, scale pan, brush and ink, with removable cylindrical weights on the trolley.
What is the price of the Fletcher trolley?
Prices are not published on the website. Add the Fletcher trolley to the Enquiry Cart with the Add To Cart button on this page, or email [email protected] with the house code EL-AM-10331 and the quantity, to receive a quotation.
Does Lab Exports manufacture the Fletcher trolley?
Yes. Lab Exports manufactures the Fletcher trolley at its works at 11/315, Lalita Park, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi 110092, under house code EL-AM-10331.
Request a quote
Email [email protected] with the house code EL-AM-10331 and the quantity, or add the Fletcher trolley to the Enquiry Cart with the Add To Cart button on this page. Tender buyers can also see the Tenders and OEM page.
