Re: an interesting letter

[gastineau@badgerden.com (John E. Gastineau)]

Same questions my students would ask. This may be some of the only 
critical reading that they do all week! You begin to see why I like 
to use this in class. 

If the rest of you haven't read this letter, found at 
www.badgerden.com/~gastineau/letter.htm
do so before I give you too many hints. 

On 28 May 97 at 15:08, Leigh Palmer wrote:

> I don't understand. Is the lead cube hollow? The words in the letter
> imply that the cubes have different weights, but the figure seems to
> indicate they are somehow the same.

The cubes are the same size, different densities. Thus, they 
"interact" differently with the earth as evidenced by the different 
weights on the pan scale. (That is, the gravitational force is 
not the same on the two cubes.) The point is that they therefore must 
"interact" differently with the earth while in freefall--which is 
completely correct. The gravitational force IS different. Therefore, 
they accelerate at slightly different rates. Right? 

> Where are figures 1 & 2? Why are
> figures 3 & 4? They only serve to confuse.

You see the letter as we received it. Apparently his non-Newtonian 
numbering system starts with 3... 

> I sure hope there isn't going to be a test on this!

Sounds like a paraphrase of that vintage whine: "Is that gonna be 
on the test?"

==================
John E. Gastineau                (304) 296-1966
900 B Ridgeway Ave.              gastineau@badgerden.com
Morgantown, WV 26505
www.badgerden.com/~gastineau