person holding a metal ruler on a table, transparent cup with coin

 

Code Number: 1G20.79

Demo Title: Accelerometer - Vibrating Ruler & Coin plus Others

Condition: Good

Principle: Gravitational Acceleration - Uniform Acceleration

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment:

Metal or Plastic Ruler, Transparent Cup, and a Coin.

Procedure:

Tape the cup to the end of a metal ruler.  Place a coin in the cup and hang the cup end of the ruler over the edge of a table.  Gently vibrate the ruler so that you can hear the coin rattling in the bottom of the cup.  The rattling is caused by the ruler and cup moving faster than "g" and moving out from under the coin on the downward stroke.

References:

  • Colton Dudley and Scott Dudley, "A Tennis Ball Accelerometer Model", TPT, Vol. 57, #7, Oct. 2019, p. 510.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "3.6, A Vibrating Ruler Accelerometer", Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 52 - 53.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "3.4 - A Simple Accelerometer For Use On The OHP", Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 48.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "3.5 - A Second Accelerometer For The OHP", Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 50.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "3.9 - A 1000 g Accelerometer", Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 57.