Uniform Acceleration: Motion in One Dimension
Penny & Feather
PIRA Class: 1C20.10
Purpose
To observe that the acceleration due to gravity is the same
for all objects in free fall
Description
Drop a penny & feather in a large transparent tube, first
full of air and then with air evacuated.
1. Beforehand: Check seals for dirt &/or other debris.
Reapply minimal vacuum grease to gaskets only if necessary.
2. Attach Vacuum pump to base of tube. Place magnet plates in
position on top of the tube's cap and hang feather and "coin" under each magnet
set
3. Place cap on top of tube taking care not to catch any
feather bits between cap & tube
4. Evacuate tube of air (vacuum pump will take tube down to
27-28" Hg)
5. Close valve at base of tube & turn off vacuum pump
6. Remove one magnet set at a time for students to carefully
observe the "penny and feather" 's fall
NOTE: PIC has the film segment of the astronaut dropping a
feather and a hammer (side by side) on the moon
Equipment
Beaker w/ magnet sets, feathers & "pennies",
Penny & Feather tube
Support Equipment
Vacuum Pump