Mechanics:
Pennies on a Meter Stick

PIRA Class: 1Q20.55

Purpose:
Demonstrate faster than g acceleration

Description:
Coins are placed evenly spaced along a horizontal meter stick supported at both ends. One end is then released allowing the meter stick to rotate around the end that is still supported. The free end will accelerate faster than g as can be seen by the fact that the meter rotates away from the coins that are in free fall.

Calculate the torque due to gravity and apply Newton's 2nd law of for rotation to find the angular acceleration and from it the (initial) linear acceleration of the far end of the stick to show a > g.

Equipment:
Meter sticks and coins (initially support the ends using ring stands or 2 chairs)

Location:
Link to the slow motion video