- View more resources from this publisherVeritasium
Chain drop experiment
This video demonstrates how two masses, one free-falling and the other falling but attached to a chain, accelerate at different rates. Students are asked to make a prediction.
Slow motion video shows that the mass attached to the chain accelerates faster than the free-falling mass. This because as the chain continuously decelerates and stops, this pulls down on the mass and this increases the acceleration on this mass (equal but opposite forces apply).
Show health and safety information
Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.