Quick Answer: Newton’s Tube is a transparent tube that shows how air resistance affects falling bodies. With air inside, a light object such as a feather falls more slowly than a coin; once a vacuum pump removes the air, both fall together.
Last updated: October 2026
Key Features
Transparent tube for clear observation of the falling objects
Vacuum connection for a pump and rubber vacuum tubing
Contains a light and a heavy falling object, such as a feather and a coin
Operated by hand: invert the tube before and after evacuation
Technical Specifications
Specification
Value
Application
Demonstration of free fall and air resistance
Operation
Manual demonstration with suitable vacuum pump
Compatible with
Vacuum pump and rubber vacuum tubing
Main concepts
Gravity, free fall, vacuum, air resistance, acceleration due to gravity
About This Product
The tube is a standard demonstration of free fall: it lets a class compare the same drop in air and in a near-vacuum. It supports lessons on gravity, air resistance and the idea that, without air, bodies of different mass fall with the same acceleration. Educational Instrument can arrange export supply of the Newton’s tube to Slovenia, Argentina, Ecuador, Oman, Mauritius and Belgium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the feather and coin fall together after the air is removed?
Without air resistance, all objects fall with the same acceleration due to gravity, so the light and heavy objects reach the bottom almost together.
