Free Fall Laboratory Kit for physical science and physics is an economical way to test Galileo's hypothesis-acceleration due to gravity is independent of mass. Time free-fall drops of different objects and compare results.
An economical way for students to test Galileo’s famous hypothesis—acceleration due to gravity is independent of mass. When two steel spheres whose masses differ by a factor of 10 are dropped together, students are shocked that the balls hit the ground at the same time. Audible proof that their rate of acceleration is constant! Students time the free-fall drops of both the large and small sphere, and average the results to calculate the acceleration due to gravity. Use this kit to dispel the common myth that “heavier objects fall faster,” and to increase your students’ quantitative lab skills. Kit includes 10 large and 10 small steel ball bearings, 10 foam pads, and complete instructions. Timers are required and sold separately.
Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Science & Engineering Practices
Planning and carrying out investigations Analyzing and interpreting data Using mathematics and computational thinking
Disciplinary Core Ideas
MS-PS2.A: Forces and Motion MS-PS2.B: Types of Interactions HS-PS2.A: Forces and Motion HS-PS2.B: Types of Interactions
Crosscutting Concepts
Stability and change
Performance Expectations
MS-PS2-1. Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.