Zero gravity during free fall

Principle

This experiment shows, in a particularly easy manner, that an object in free fall is not subject to acceleration. The state of free fall can, therefore, be used to simulate zero g, as it is experienced in space, e.g. in order to train astronauts prior to space travel. Known examples for this type of simulation are zero-g flights. In order to perform experiments in zero g, the drop tower of the German Centre of Applied Space Technology in Bremen (www.zarm.uni-bremen.de) can be used, for example. This experiment can also be used to determine the value of the gravitational acceleration with the aid of the height of the fall and the fall time, or to discuss the influence of airfriction on free fall.

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