Mechanics: Penny and Feather

PIRA Class: 1C20.10

Purpose:
To illustrate objects falling with and without air resistance.

Description:
Drop a penny & feather in a large transparent tube, first full of air and then with air evacuated.

1. Attach vacuum pump to the base of the tube (valve switch vertical for open) and run to evacuate air.

2. Turn valve horizontal to close then turn off and detach vacuum pump.

3. Rotate tube so that penny and feather fall from top to bottom.

4. Once done, open the valve to let air back into the tube.

The large tube is setup so that penny and feather can be held under the washer flap on the lid. A strong magnet is used to hold the flap against the lid until you remove the magnet to drop both objects. However, the feather frequently sticks to the flap and does not drop. The smaller demo works better.

Equipment:
Penny & Feather tube, penny, feather, vacuum pump

Location:
Tubes and pump are next to Shelf 521, additional pennies and feathers are on Shelf 114

Extras:
Video of feather and hammer dropped on the moon
Video of feather and bowling ball dropped in large vacuum chamber