Physics Demo Number: 004

Approximate Run Time: 5 min

Put Your Head Where Conservation Of Energy Says Is Safe

Demo Description

Release a cannonball (which is tethered to a suspension cord) from contact with your head.

Let it swing through a complete pendulum cycle, without moving your head.

 

Scientific Principles

  • Conservation of Mechanical Energy

Equipment

  • Cannonball

  • Cord





Equipment Location

  • The cannonball lives in Kit (004) on [F-1-3].

  • Cord is permanently stored ready for action in each Lecture Hall.

Instructions

Both SC4327 and SC4309 have climbing accessory cords running from eyelets on the ceiling to the prep room door.

Thus the pictured Civil War era cannonball can be hung from the cord in either room (shown above for SC4309) and held to the nose for release.

Set up some stationary reference point for your head if you insist on letting the ball go from your own nose or head. It is probably a very bad idea to let any student try this demo.

It may be best to arrange an appropriate inanimate object from which to release the ball , such as a tall tripod stand from near the start of the H columns (behind the desk in the prep room).

  
Writeup created by David A. Burba
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