Using a digital camera and public common software VirtualDub it was possible to record the space-time evolution of a fast dynamic system, such as a body in free fall. This paper treats two classical free fall experiments: a) falling chain and b) a free falling folded chain (bungee jump). Analyzed empirically in a simple setup, these experiments showed very important concepts of mechanics. The VirtualDub program enables the selection of frames from the video record. The analysis of these frames provides elements of several dynamical variables such as velocity, force and acceleration, and is a powerful tool in the study of the movement.
mechanics; movement; body free fall; digital camera
