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› › › EXPERT SETUP 1
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WHAT'S HAPPENING
In a perfect run, the machine works like this: On the first side, the gumball drops out of the dispenser
and onto the trampoline. It bounces into the centripetal force funnel, where it spirals around. It
falls through the hole and into the variable-slope track. It rolls down and into the momentum
trap. If a gumball is already in the momentum trap, the first gumball will knock the gumball that
is already there down the track and into the pulley cup. Depending on how many gumballs are in
each pulley cup, the pulley cup may move down or it may not. On the second side, the difference
is that the gumball starts in the pendulum before it falls down into a track below. Where the
gumball lands depends on the rotational speed of the pendulum. The pendulum might need a
little push, because the gumball falls straight down into it from the dispenser.
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Now it's time to test the setup!
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Done!
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Adjust all the tracks and stunts so that,
in your best estimation, a gumball will
travel all the way from the dispenser down
to the pulley cup. Place a gumball in the
momentum trap and in the pulley cup on the
right. The assembly is finished!
It's a good idea to put the gumball machine
on a tray, in the lid of a box, or on a piece
of fabric like a tablecloth when you are
experimenting with it. The reason for this is
that it is normal for gumballs to fall off the
track or for a stunt to miss its target some
of the time. You must carefully adjust the
model to get the gumball to travel from the
top to the bottom without falling off course.
The tray, box lid, or tablecloth will help
keep the gumballs from rolling all over the
place when they fall out of the machine.
Hold the gumball machine steady with one
hand. Turn the knob clockwise to dispense
one gumball. If the knob gets stuck, turn it
counterclockwise to release the jam. What
happens?
Segment by segment, make adjustments to
the model until the gumball makes it all the
way to the cup at the end.
Rotate the globe and dispenser to the other
side and try the second course.
Return the gumball to the globe each time
by taking the pulley cup and dumping it into
the globe funnel.
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