C3-11: STRAW AND POTATO

ID Code: C3-11
Purpose: Illustrate inertia of motion
Description: If a plastic straw (like those from McDonald's) is pushed slowly into a raw potato, the rigid potato will cause the softer plastic straw to bend and break. However, if a significant velocity is given to the straw it can be pushed clean through the potato. This is what often happens in a tornado, where apparently softer objects are accelerated to high speeds by the wind and driven through apparently harder objects.
Instructor must bring potato!
Availability: Available