Code Number: 1M10.20
Demo Title: Pile Driver
Condition: Good
Principle: Work and Translation of Motion
Area of Study: Mechanics
Equipment:
Pile driver apparatus with addable weights, 3 X 4 wood blocks, nails with centimeter markings, pop cans with holes in the bottom.
Procedure:
Raise the pile driver to the desired heights. Heights of 25 cm increments are marked on the guide rods. Place a pop can under the pile driver and release. The pop cans will be crushed to a size proportional to the height the pile driver was dropped from. To eliminate the buildup of pressure in the pop can when crushing, use the awl to punch 5 holes around the top and 5 holes around the bottom of the can. Nails may be used in place of pop cans and are also driven in proportional to the height drop.
References:
- Shahrul Kadri Ayop, "Analyzing Impulse Using Iphone and Tracker", The Physics Teacher, Vol. 55, #8, Nov. 2017, p. 480.
- Kyle Hathcox and David Ward, "The Hammer Falls: A Fresh Look at the Pile Driver", TPT, Vol. 43, #7, Oct. 2005, p. 428.
- Francesc Castellvi, Joan I. Rosell, and Pedro J. Perez, "Using Plasticine™ To Measure The Rolling Friction Coefficient", TPT, Vol. 33, #5, May 1995, p. 276.
- M. W. Meisel, "MV or MV2? That Was The Question!", TPT, Vol. 31, # 3, Mar. 1993, p. 170.
- Henry Levinstein, "The Physics of Toys", TPT, Vol. 20, #6, Sept. 1982, p. 358, also a Potpourri of Physics Teaching Ideas - Toys, p. 269.
- Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Model Pile Driver (Photo)", AJP, Vol. 70, #6, June 2002, p. 657.
- Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Pile Driver", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 83.