PASCO SE-9788 User Manual

Instruction Sheet
for the PASCO
Model SE-9788

COIN AND FEATHER TUBE

012-07193A

08/99
$1.00

G

C

E

A

Introduction

The PASCO SE-9788 Coin and Feather Tube
demonstrates the effect due to gravity on objects
falling through a vacuum, compared to the effect on
objects falling through air.

In the demonstration, students see that in an
environment in which air resistance is not
countering the force of gravity (in a vacuum), any
object— regardless of its mass or density—will
require the same time period to reach the bottom of
the tube. However, when air molecules are present,
air resistance counters the force due to gravity.
Students will observe that when air is present,
objects of differing mass or density require
differing time periods to reach the bottom of the
tube.

© 1999 PASCO scientific

F

H

Equipment

INCLUDED

Part Label Part Name

A clear plastic tube

B end piece

C end piece with connector

D “coins”, Styrofoam pieces

E tubing with check valve

F tubing with T and check valve

G 60 cc syringe

H tubing for connection with a

PASCO Pressure Sensor

Note: Parts E, F, and G constitute the vacuum pump

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED

• ScienceWorkshop Interface (300, 500, 700, or 750)

• Pressure Sensor (CI-6532, CI-6533, or CI-6559)

• computer and data acquisition software
(ScienceWorkshop or DataStudio)

B

Coin and Feather Tube 012-07193A

Basic Setup and Operating Procedure

Note: The first time you set up the Coin and
Feather Tube, you will need to assemble piece F by
attaching the small tube to the T-connector
(Figure 1). (These pieces are left unassembled for
shipping.)

Connect small tube
to T connector here

Figure 1

Assembly of Part F
(once only at first use)

1. Remove an the end piece, put a coin and a feather
or a Styrofoam peanut inside the tube, and replace
the end piece.

Note: Exercise care that your hand or fingers do
not get pinched between the end piece and the
tube.

3. Connect the
vacuum pump to
the Coin and
Feather Tube at
the connecting
piece on end
piece C (Figure

3).

4. Pull a vacuum in
the tube by
pumping the
plunger on the
syringe 50–60
times.

Note: You can
tell approximately
how much air is
being expelled by
the sound coming
from the check
valve.

5. Disconnect piece
E from piece F
(Figure 4) to
remove the vacuum pump.

5

C

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

cc

Figure 3

Connecting the vacuum
pump to end piece C

2. Assemble the vacuum pump as shown in Figure 2.

E

G

cc

40

45

50

55

60

Figure 2

Assembly of the vacuum pump

15

10

20

25

30

35

5

E

C

A

F

5

10

15

20

25

30

G

35

40

45

50

55

60

cc

Figure 4

Removing the vacuum pump

F

2