Mechanics ** 1G20.76 ** Newton's second law

Accelerated reference frames

Suspended-ball accelerometer

Equipment:

Description: A fluorescent orange ping-pong ball suspended by a string in an upturned flask full of water acts as an accelerometer. The ball responds to a pressure gradient in the flask; an acceleration to the right, for example, causes a build-up of pressure on the left, pushing the ball to the right. In general, the ball moves in the same direction as the acceleration.

Setup time: 2 minutes.