PURPOSE: To illustrate two-dimensional kinematics with a student activity.

DESCRIPTION: The subject walks along a line with his/her arm straight out holding a ball. As the subject passes a bucket, where must she/he release the ball so that it will fall into the bucket? Click on the photograph above to see an mpeg video of the action.

SUGGESTIONS: This experiment is described in a reference paper on the relation between development of physical intuition in children and their understanding of the laws of motion.

See Question of the Week #54 for information on using this demonstration to enhance class involvement.

REFERENCES: (PIRA 1D60.21)See Demonstration Reference File for related papers.

EQUIPMENT: Ball, bucket, and victim, as photographed.

SETUP TIME: None.