cylinder on a black tablecloth

 

Code Number: 1F20.33

Demo Title: Inertia of Rest - Cylinder

Condition: Good

Principle: Inertia of Mass

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment: 

Aluminum Cylinder, Black Tablecloth.

Procedure:

Place the tablecloth on the table so that one edge of the cloth hangs over the edge of the table.  Place the cylinder onto the middle of the tablecloth.  Make sure there are no wrinkles in the cloth behind the cylinder.  Yank the cloth out and down.  The cylinder may wobble because the narrow base makes it fairly unstable.

References:

  • Haym Kruglak and Robert Scherzer, "An Applause-Winning Inertia Trick", TPT, Vol. 33, # 5, p. 284, May 1995.
  • James R. Keady, "Using Blocks to Demonstrate Inertia, Center of Gravity, and Friction", TPT, Vol. 5, # 6, Sept. 1967, p. 292.
  • Mc- 4: Freier and Anderson,  A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Newton, 'The Magician' - His First Law", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 54.

1F20.33 - Inertia of Rest - Cylinder