Mechanics/Dynamics/Motion

Falling Feather

A light and heavy object will fall with the same accelerations in the absence of friction. In this exhibit a feather and a plastic chicken are dropped together in a tube which the visitor can evacuate. When the tube has air in it the plastic chicken falls faster and hits bottom while the feather lazily descends at its terminal velocity. When the air is removed, both hit bottom at the same time. The exhibit is openly constructed so that the visitor may view all components including the pump.