PURPOSE: To show that the acceleration of bodies in free fall is independent of mass.

DESCRIPTION: Light and heavy balls are weighed using the spring scale. When they are dropped simultaneously from a height of about ten feet, they accelerate downward at the same rate (the acceleration of gravity) and reach the floor at the same time. A wooden board acts as a sound board to amplify the sound when they reach the floor.

SUGGESTIONS:

REFERENCES:

EQUIPMENT: Light and heavy balls, springscale with ball holder, ladder and sound board.

SETUP TIME: 5 min.

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