INTRO: Aristotle believed heavier objects would fall faster
than light objects. Galileo believed they fell at
the same rate. Who is right?
MATERIALS: 5 pennies
tape
2 sheets of paper
PROCEDURE: 1) Take first sheet op paper and fold it into thirds lengthwise.
2) Tape paper on its sides liberally so that it makes a hollow triangular prism.
3) Take second sheet of paper and crease into thirds, then those in half, creating a slimmer slice of paper or bar.
4) Tape it closed.
5) Tape bar onto center of triangular prism, creating an even balance.
6) Role a small piece of tape directly under each bar of the balance, so that the first side down will stick to the tape.
7) Tape three pennies together.
8) Tape other two pennies together.
9) Drop both pennies from equal height simultaniously.
10) Record which side of the balance sticks to the tape.
11) Repeat twice
12) Switch sides.
13) Repeat steps nine through eleven.
14) Retape pennies so that they are four and one as opposed to two and three.
15) Repeat steps nine through thirteen.
16) Record results.
Data\Observations: Everytime the pennies were dropped, neither side stuck to the tape.
Conclusion: As usual, Aristotle is proven wrong. The pennies landed at the same time, causing neither side to go down, but both to wilt.
