Class 10 Exam  >  Class 10 Questions  >  Explain about coin and feather experiment? Start Learning for Free
Explain about coin and feather experiment?
Most Upvoted Answer
Explain about coin and feather experiment?
Coin and Feather Experiment


The coin and feather experiment is a demonstration of the effect of air resistance on falling objects. It is also known as the Galileo's experiment since it was first performed by famous Greek astronomer and physicist, Galileo Galilei in the late 16th century. The experiment proved that objects of different masses fall at the same rate in a vacuum, but in the presence of air resistance, they fall at different rates.


Procedure


  1. A vacuum chamber is required for this experiment.

  2. The chamber is evacuated to create a vacuum.

  3. Two objects, a coin and a feather, are dropped simultaneously from the same height inside the vacuum chamber.

  4. Without air resistance, both objects fall at the same rate and hit the bottom of the chamber at the same time.

  5. The experiment is repeated in open air, and this time the feather falls much slower than the coin due to air resistance.



Explanation

When dropped in a vacuum, both objects experience the same acceleration due to gravity, which is 9.8 m/s². Therefore, they both fall at the same rate and hit the bottom of the chamber at the same time. However, when dropped in the air, the feather experiences more air resistance than the coin due to its larger surface area. This air resistance acts against the feather's weight and slows it down, causing it to fall slower than the coin.


Significance

The coin and feather experiment is significant because it demonstrates the effect of air resistance on falling objects, which is often overlooked in everyday observations. It also illustrates the concept of gravity and the laws of motion. This experiment has been replicated many times, and it continues to be used as a demonstration in classrooms and science museums around the world.
Community Answer
Explain about coin and feather experiment?
This experiment was done to show the force of friction. Here a coin and a feather were released together from a height. It was observed that the coin reached the ground far more earlier than the feather.

This was happened due to the air friction. As the coin was heavier, it felt less resistance of the air friction. But the feather was lighter so it felt more resistance. And that's why there was a time gap between there contacts to the ground.

The experiment has shown that there exists a resistance power of air friction due to which heavier things reach earlier to the ground when released together from a height.

It was also that, if the experiment would have done in vacuum then both the coin and the feather would have touched the ground at same time, because air friction does not exists in vacuum. In vacuum the weight of the things does not matter.

One can even do this experiment with a big rock and a piece of hair. In this also the above processes will take place.
Attention Class 10 Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 10 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 10.
Explore Courses for Class 10 exam

Top Courses for Class 10

Explain about coin and feather experiment?
Question Description
Explain about coin and feather experiment? for Class 10 2024 is part of Class 10 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 10 exam syllabus. Information about Explain about coin and feather experiment? covers all topics & solutions for Class 10 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Explain about coin and feather experiment?.
Solutions for Explain about coin and feather experiment? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Class 10. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Class 10 Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Explain about coin and feather experiment? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Explain about coin and feather experiment?, a detailed solution for Explain about coin and feather experiment? has been provided alongside types of Explain about coin and feather experiment? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Explain about coin and feather experiment? tests, examples and also practice Class 10 tests.
Explore Courses for Class 10 exam

Top Courses for Class 10

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev