Tablecloth Tug

PIRA 1F20.30

Materials: Silk Cloth, Plate, Candle holder, Candle, Utensils, Wine Glass

The equipment needed for this experiment are: a smooth, silky table cloth, a heavy ceramic plate with glaze on the part touching the table, a candle holder and candle, and a wine glass. Another handy item is a container with some water in it. A lighter for the candle may also be desirable.

The table cloth should be placed on a smooth surface, such as the desk pictured here. The demonstration will be easier if water is put in the wine glass. When the cloth is pulled slowly, everything will move; but if the cloth is pulled quickly, the inertia of the items will keep them from moving much. This should be practiced before doing the demonstration in front of students.