Comparative Free Fall Tubes

Demonstrate the free-fall motion of objects in atmospheric pressure and vacuum conditions.

• Includes one vacuum-sealed glass tube and one tube at atmospheric pressure, each containing identical objects (feathers, metal pieces, and paper pieces)

• Effectively illustrates the influence of air resistance on falling objects
• Ideal for teaching concepts related to gravity, air resistance, and the principles of free fall in physics education

The comparative free fall tubes set explores the effects of air resistance on objects in free fall. By providing two glass tubes - one vacuum-sealed and the other at atmospheric pressure - each containing identical items such as feathers, metal pieces, and paper pieces, students can observe firsthand how these objects fall differently depending on the surrounding air pressure.

In the vacuum tube, all objects fall at the same rate, demonstrating the uniform acceleration due to gravity without air resistance. Conversely, in the tube at atmospheric pressure, lighter objects like feathers and paper experience noticeable air resistance, causing them to fall more slowly than the metal pieces.