Free Fall Scale

Abstract

A scale attached to an object reads zero in free fall.

Portable

Yes

Principles Illustrated

In free fall, the scale will read zero as both the mass and the scale are accelerating downward at g.

Video: download and step through the video one frame art a time to see that the scale reads zero while the scale and object are falling.

Download video (right-click and “save link as”, 160 KB): Freefallscale.m4v

NCEA & Science Curriculum

SCI 1.1, PHYS 2.4

Instructions

Drop the scale with suspended object. Scale will read zero. This has to be filmed. You can’t read the scale while it is falling.

Download the video and step through the video one frame art a time to see that the scale reads zero while the scale and object are falling, or make your own video.

Safety

Individual teachers are responsible for safety in their own classes. Even familiar demonstrations should be practised and safety-checked by individual teachers before they are used in a classroom.

Related Resources

Penny and Feather in a Vacuum

Teaching Resources

Would you like to contribute lesson suggestions? Contact us.

References

PIRA 1G20.41 and PIRA 1G20.42

Credits

This teaching resource was developed with support from

The MacDiarmid Institute
Faculty of Science, Victoria University of Wellington
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington

Copyright

Copyright and fair use statement