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Inertia - Lead Brick And Hand
Purpose
To illustrate inertia of rest in a dramatic way.
Equipment
Lead brick and hammer; dry ice and beaker of water are optional.
Suggestions
Drama can be added by palming a bit of dry ice before dipping your hand into the water to "dissipate the energy transferred to your hand during the collision."
Setup Time
None. (Allow 15 min. to obtain dry ice if requested.)
Images
Description
Place the lead brick gently on your fingers and strike the lead brick sharply with the hammer. The inertia off the lead brick prevents damage to your fingers.◙
References
Gerald L. Hodgson, Weight Distribution in a Bed of Nails Sandwich, TPT 13, 52, (1975). Herbert H. Gottlieb, Inertia of a Building Block, TPT 14, 119, (1976).
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See pagesc1. center of mass motion
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See pagesc3. first law of motion
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See pagesc4. second law of motion
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See pagesc5. third law of motion
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See pagesc6. friction
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See pagesc7. collisions
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See pagesc8. mechanical energy & power
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See pagesc1. center of mass motion
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See pagesc3. first law of motion
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See pagesc4. second law of motion
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See pagesc5. third law of motion
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See pagesc6. friction
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See pagesc7. collisions
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See pagesc8. mechanical energy & power
Physics Lab Demos