Inertia of Rest: Newton's First Law
Tablecloth Pull
PIRA Class: 1F20.30
Purpose
To observe the inertia of an object at rest.
Description
Perform the "magic trick" of pulling a tablecloth
out from under a vase complete w/ flowers.
HINT: Leave some slack in the tablecloth so that your hand
(& cloth) will come up to speed before the tablecloth slides out from under the vase.
This will reduce the time of the impulse, reducing the time that static friction acts on
the vase. Pull on the tablecloth slightly downward, to eliminate any upward forces acting
on the vase.
VARIATION: "Inertia Quarter"
Equipment
Tablecloth, place setting, vase w/ flowers
Optional: Glass, Quarter, & a card