Don't fall for these common misconceptions about falling objects! Using two sports balls with different masses, the interviewer demonstrates in a brief video the forces at work. Participants marvel as a much-heavier medicine ball lands at the same time as the basketball. The common answer, gravity, is not all that's at work in this physics demonstration.

Concepts

gravity, constant speed, speed, acceleration, mass, gravitational force, inertia

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Get the class involved in a few falling object demonstrations, then cue the video
• Pair the resource with a lesson on inertia

Classroom Considerations

• The video works well as an introduction to the concept

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Narrator provides easy explanations about gravity and inertia to explain what is happening
• Presents the topic in an amusing and engaging manner

Cons

• None