The Society of Physics dropped fifteen frozen pumpkins from a 60-foot-high lift Friday, October 30, near the Humanities and Social Sciences building.
Louis Varriano, SPS president, said that he hopes the event sparks interest in physics for others.
Other exhibits included a non-Newtonian fluid in the form of a cornstarch and water mixture and a demonstration with a bed of nails.
During the drop, students discussed the physics of gravity and liquid nitrogen.
A crowd of about 50 gathered to watch the drop and participate in the other demonstrations.
See a slow-motion video of the pumpkin drop from @UTKnoxville:
Slow-mo frozen pumpkin drop with the Society of Physics Students! Have a safe and happy Halloween, Vols! ? pic.twitter.com/XmEZQ4SHDh
— UT Knoxville (@UTKnoxville) October 30, 2015
In case you missed it, here is a roundup of local coverage:
WBIR: http://www.wbir.com/videos/life/2015/10/30/ut-studentts-drop-exploding-frozen-pumpkins-/74893302/
WVLT: http://www.local8now.com/news/local/headlines/Halloween-science-fun-at-UT-338953182.html
Knoxville News Sentinel front page story: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local-news/its-the-great-newton-charlie-brown-ut-students-put-halloween-twist-on-physics-experiments_07598565 (subscription required)
Photo gallery: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local-news/frozen-pumpkin-drop