Dynamics Activity
Block and Cups Demo


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Purpose:

Demonstrates the difference between inertia (mass) and weight.

Equipment:

Heavy block (cinder block, log, steel plate), paper cups

Description:

  1.  Show that an array of paper cups will support the weight of the block by resting the block on top of the cups.
  2. If you pick up the block and drop it on the cups, they are crushed - they can't resist the inertia (mass) of the cups.

Explanation:


last update November 10, 2007 by JL Stanbrough