1D60.20 Ruler and Pennies Demo

PURPOSE: To demonstrate projectile motion versus free fall motion.

DESCRIPTION: Ruler is place on table with one penny in front and one on top (over edge). Ruler is flicked so that the penny on top falls straight down while the other penny is projected off the table onto the floor. If done correctly, the pennies should hit the ground at the same time (emphasizing the independence of the components of velocity.)

SETUP TIME: 2 min.

COMPONENT LIST:

    


  1.  Ruler						Bring one


  2.  Pennies						Ask a rich graduate student

SUGGESTIONS: Can be made into an in-class exploration of projectile motion by measuring where the pennies landed, then calculating their initial velocities, etc.... Ask Sarah Paukstis for further details.

REFERENCES: PIRA 1D60.20

OTHER NOTES: