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Inertia - Lead Brick And Hand

Purpose

To illustrate inertia of rest in a dramatic way.

Equipment

Lead brick and hammer; dry ice and beaker of water are optional.

Suggestions

Drama can be added by palming a bit of dry ice before dipping your hand into the water to "dissipate the energy transferred to your hand during the collision."

Setup Time

None. (Allow 15 min. to obtain dry ice if requested.)

Images

c3-04

Description

Place the lead brick gently on your fingers and strike the lead brick sharply with the hammer. The inertia off the lead brick prevents damage to your fingers.◙

References

Gerald L. Hodgson, Weight Distribution in a Bed of Nails Sandwich, TPT 13, 52, (1975). Herbert H. Gottlieb, Inertia of a Building Block, TPT 14, 119, (1976).