Physics and astronomy clubs re-enact Galileo’s law
WSU physics and astronomy clubs dropped pumpkins and other objects from a 12th-floor window of Webster Physical Sciences Building on Nov. 5 to enact Galileo’s historical experiment, proving his Law of Falling Bodies.
The Law of Falling Bodies states that all objects, regardless of their masses, fall toward the earth at the same rate. Drops will take place from Webster’s 6th, 10th and 12th floors.
WSU physics graduate student Fran Morrissey will portray Galileo.
“Last year, we had a couple hundred people. It is a good event for families and kids,” said Mary Guenther of the WSU physics and astronomy department. She admits the drop will not be scientific because the two pumpkins cannot be dropped from the building precisely at the same time to prove the law.
