Shoot & Drop

PIRA: 1D60.20

Overview:

Does shooting something horizontally affect how long it takes for it to hit the ground? This demo shows if anything changes. With one ball being dropped, and the other one shot horizontally, we can listen to see when the balls hit the ground. Whether it is at the same time or different.

Materials:

Shoot and drop, two steel balls, ladder, table clamp, and metal rod

Setup:

Set up the ladder, and then put the table clamp on one of the steps. Put the metal rod into the shoot and drop, then screw in the bolt that holds the rod. Put the metal rod into the table clamp so that the shoot and drop is above it. Make sure that the shoot and drop is level. Cock back the shoot and drop, and then place one ball at each end of the rod.

How to:

When ready, make sure your hand is not in the way of the falling ball and squeeze the trigger. Listen to the balls hit the floor, were they at the same time or different?

Safety:

Make sure there is no one in the direction of the ball that will be shot, or under the ball that will be dropped. There is a pinching hazard when cocking the shoot and drop.