PURPOSE: To illustrate the affect of density on acceleration in a counterintuitive way.
DESCRIPTION: A helium balloon is tethered to the bottom of an enclosed plastic box. Q: If the box is accelerated, what will the balloon do: (a) move in the direction of the acceleration, (b) move in the direcrtion opposite the acceleration, or (c) remain motionless? A: It will move in the direction of the acceleration.
SUGGESTIONS: Ask your students to vote before performing the experiment.
REFERENCES: (PIRA 1G20.75) See Demonstration Reference File for a number of articles describing this setup and its uses.
EQUIPMENT: Helium balloon tethered to bottom of plastic box.
SETUP TIME: 5 min.
 |  |
 |  |  |