Penny and Feather
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Sketch of apparatus |
Vic version of the apparatus |
| Abstract |
Penny and feather fall with same acceleration in a vacuum
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| Portable | Yes | |
| Principles Illustrated |
Acceleration due to gravity really is the same for a feather and a penny if there is no air resistance!
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| NCEA & Science Curriculum | ||
| Teacher Guide |
Would you like to contribute lesson suggestions? Contact us. |
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| Instructions |
Show students the feather and penny (actually paper and a nut) fall at different rates when tube is full of air and at the same rate when evacuated. Larger photo.
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| Safety |
The mechanical pump should not be run without the apparatus attached as the oil droplets are unhealthy. Hold on to the hose when flipping the tube! The hose swings around and can injure someone.
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| Related Resources |
Video analysis of water rockets with air friction visible in the data. Drop a ball and measure g using Tracker.
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| Notes | ||
| References | PIRA 1C20.10 |
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| Other Related Resources | Video of hammer and feather falling on the moon. |
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| Credits |
This teaching resource was developed with support from |
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| Copyright |