1. Galileo, Gravity, and Momentum Sc!Team 2.0

2. Prediction Galileo dropped a one pound and ten pound cannonball at the same time from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We predicted that the heavier ball would hit first. Click the animation to the right to see what happens.

3. Dropping Ball Experiment We repeated Galileo’s experiment with a rubber ball and ping pong. Click the picture to see the experiment.

4. The Force of Gravity We did research to find out why the heavier ball did not fall faster. We found out that gravity puts the same amount of pull on all objects. This is why they fall at the same speed. When we did the experiment, we noticed that the heavier ball made a bigger dent in the snow.

5. Mass and Momentum

6. Momentum We researched why the heavier ball made a deeper dent in the snow. We discovered that it was because the heavier ball had more momentum. Momentum is mass times velocity. The velocity of the two balls is the same, but the mass of the two balls is different. Therefore, the momentum of the heavier ball is bigger than the smaller ball and it makes a bigger dent.

7. Galileo’s impact Galileo’s “drop the cannonball” experiment helped to show that gravity pulls all objects the same. This conclusion was different from what people thought before Galileo did this experiment. The experiment also helped us to learn the difference between velocity and momentum.

8. Bibliography Carr, K. (2009). Physics for Kids. Retrieved February 20, 2010, from http://www.historyforkids.org/scienceforkids/physics/ space/gravity.htm http://www.historyforkids.org/scienceforkids/physics/ space/gravity.htm Computer Animations of Physical Processes. Retrieved February 20, 2010, from http://physics- animations.com/Physics/English/mech.htmhttp://physics- animations.com/Physics/English/mech.htm PBS Online (n.d.). Galileo’s Battle for the Heavens. Retrieved February 20, 2010, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/galileo/