WSU Physics Club to Test Galileo’s Law with Pumpkin Drop

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University’s Physics and Astronomy Club will present a pumpkin drop from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday (Oct. 30) as part of the Dad’s Weekend festivities.

A few pieces of the fall produce will be dropped from Webster Physical Sciences Building, the tallest building on campus at 14 stories high, as students reenact a famous experiment in physics history.

Legend has it that Galileo Galilei first proved his law of falling bodies using objects dropped from Italy’s Tower of Pisa. He dropped a large ball and a small ball off the tower to demonstrate that all objects, regardless of their mass, fall toward Earth at the same rate.

The WSU Horticulture Club will provide the pumpkins for the experiment. Pumpkin cookies will be distributed to the crowd after the event.

Galileo (portrayed by physics graduate student Fran Morrissey) will introduce the event and explain the history of Galileo’s law. WSU mascot Butch will be in attendance to assure all scientific standards and protocol are followed.

Those who wish to witness the event can meet between Webster Physical Sciences Building and the Institute for Shock Physics building in the mall area. All ages are encouraged to attend.