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PAIL OF WATER 1D50.40

PURPOSE: To illustrate dramatically centripetal force and centrifugal reaction.

DESCRIPTION: Put some water in the bucket and rotate the bucket in a vertical circle over your head. The
centripetal force provided by your arm keeps the water bucket moving in a circle, while the centrifugal reaction
keeps the water in the bottom of the bucket, as long as the rotational velocity is sufficient.

EQUIPMENT: Bucket.

SETUP NOTES:  Practice, practice, practice.  It is easy to hit your leg when swinging it around so practice doing it correctly BEFORE the class.

Updated by Jun Qi in 3/3/2000