Loop Track - Physics Demonstrations - Loop Track | Physics Undergraduate Labs

Purpose

Demonstrates conservation of mechanical energy using a loop track. A ball released from a given height cannot exceed that height on the opposite side. By varying release height, students see the minimum energy required for the ball to maintain contact and complete the loop.

Loop track apparatus: metal channel track in a rectangular frame, with a long ramp descending from the left into a circular loop, then a short exit ramp on the right

Close-up of the lower track section showing the metal channel, support frame, and blue reference marks on the track

Figure 1: Loop track with 40 cm diameter loop. The ramp is 107 cm tall on the release side and 46 cm on the exit side. Blue marks on the track indicate critical release heights.

Figure 2: Close-up showing the metal track channel and support frame. Blue marks on the track indicate the critical release heights for loop completion.