Whirling Bucket - Physics Demonstrations - Whirling Bucket | Physics Undergraduate Labs

Loop the rope around your wrist, not just your fingers. Ensure clearance in all directions from obstacles, ceiling fixtures, and audience. Have towels ready for spills.

Purpose

A bucket of water swung in a vertical circle stays dry — even when inverted — because the centripetal acceleration exceeds $$g$$ at the top. Illustrates circular motion dynamics and addresses the "centrifugal force" misconception.

White plastic bucket with wire handle and rope threaded through it, looped around a person's wrist and hand for secure grip

Figure 1: Rope threaded through the bucket handle and looped around the wrist. This grip prevents accidental release during rotation.

Bucket with String

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Safety Warnings

Warning: Safety

Purpose