Dynamics Physics Cart Trolley - Newton Explorer Cart

Newton Explorer Cart

Investigate Newton’s Laws the way they were meant to be learnt — experimentally.

The Tiny Science Lab Newton Explorer Cart is a robust, classroom-ready dynamics cart designed specifically for hands-on investigation of motion, force and acceleration. Built with smooth ball-bearing wheels and a highly durable body, the cart moves freely and consistently across a flat surface, producing clean, repeatable results suitable for both introductory and senior physics.

What makes this cart unique is that it is not just a trolley — it is a complete experimental system that allows students to independently verify Newton’s First and Second Laws of Motion using multiple practical methods.

Key Features

• Precision ball-bearing wheels for smooth, low-friction motion

• Extremely robust and safe classroom design

• Built-in slot for retractable tape measure acceleration experiments

• Dedicated string-tie notch (rare on standard carts) for force investigations

• Designed to securely hold included 250 mL bottle

• Compatible with standard 50 g laboratory masses (not included)

Investigating Newton’s First Law — Inertia

The cart includes a 250 mL graduated bottle (50 mL markings) which fits snugly into the cart body.

Students fill the bottle with water and gently push the cart across a smooth surface. The cart continues moving at nearly constant velocity, demonstrating:

'An object in motion remains in motion unless acted upon by a net external force.'

Students directly observe inertia rather than just reading about it.

Investigating Newton’s Second Law — Force and Mass

1. Constant Force, Changing Mass

Using the included retractable tape measure, the tape clips into the cart and is extended. When released, the tape measure applies a consistent pulling force causing the cart to accelerate.

Students then:

1. Calculate acceleration using distance and time
   

2. Add increasing amounts of water to the bottle (increasing mass) to determine the resulting accelerations
   

Students discover:

As mass increases, acceleration decreases when force is constant.

2. Changing Force, Constant Mass (Atwood-style Investigation)

The cart includes two 20 mL syringes and string.

• One syringe full of water sits on the cart

• The string ties to the cart’s built-in knot notch

• The second syringe hangs over the edge of the bench

The falling syringe pulls the cart, accelerating it.

Students then add water to the hanging syringe to increase the force and calculate acceleration using SUVAT.

Students discover:

As force increases, acceleration increases.

This allows students to experimentally verify: $$F = ma$$

3. Standard Mass Experiments

The cart is also compatible with standard 50 g laboratory masses, allowing extension activities and more advanced quantitative analysis.

Why Teachers Love It

Unlike traditional dynamics carts, the Newton Explorer Cart does not require large quantities of masses. Due to being lightweight it can be accelerated with the weight of the water in the syringe. Genius!

This makes it ideal for:

• Year 7–10 General Science

• Year 11-12 Physics
  

• Home-school practical physics

• Inquiry-based STEM programs

Included

• Newton Explorer Dynamics Cart

• 250 mL graduated bottle

• Retractable tape measure connector system

• 2 × 20 mL syringes

• 1 metre of string

The cart is 13.5 cm long and 8.5cm wide. It has a mass of 94 grams.

This cart was produced in collaboration with makeitjack.com.au and Jacob Strickling of Tiny Science Lab