Wooden Nickels

PIRA: 1F20.34

Overview:

The inertia of the coins are able to overcome the force of friction when there is enough force given to the bottom coin. All the coins above the bottom one can’t keep up with the acceleration given to that bottom coin due to their inertia, so they just drop to the table once the bottom coin is no longer there.

Materials:

Stack of wooden nickels

Ruler or similar object in shape

Setup:

Stack the coins on top of each other to make a column. Place the ruler next to it

How to:

Hold the ruler flat onto the table, then quickly swing it into the column of coins.

Safety:

Do not launch the coins in anyone’s direction.