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