Open Experimental Physics Project
Join the Magnet Freefall Project
Help investigate a simple but potentially profound question: does the orientation of a falling magnet affect its acceleration?
The Magnet Freefall Project is a grassroots experimental effort to test whether permanent magnets falling in specific pole orientations show measurable acceleration differences compared with controls. We are building better drop rigs, cleaner timing systems, stronger data analysis, and public demonstrations that anyone can inspect, replicate, criticize, and improve.
Project Goal
Build a repeatable, transparent, independently verifiable experiment that can determine whether magnet orientation produces a real freefall anomaly or whether the observed effect can be fully explained by conventional experimental factors.
The goal is not belief. The goal is better evidence.
Why This Project Matters
Most claims of anomalous physics fail because they are not measured carefully enough, documented clearly enough, or made easy for others to reproduce. This project is being built around the opposite approach: better controls, better sensors, better statistics, better public documentation, and open discussion.
If the effect is real, it deserves serious investigation. If it is an artifact, then identifying the source of the artifact is equally valuable. Either outcome teaches us something important about measurement, magnetism, freefall experiments, and how to investigate unusual results responsibly.
Core Question
When two otherwise identical objects are dropped under the same conditions, can changing only the magnet’s pole orientation produce a repeatable difference in measured acceleration or fall time?
What We Are Working On
Drop Testing
Designing controlled freefall tests with repeatable release mechanisms, consistent object geometry, and reduced sources of tilt, tumble, and drag.
Sensors
Improving timing and motion measurement using IR break beams, IMUs, synchronized microcontrollers, and careful calibration procedures.
Data Analysis
Comparing control objects and magnet configurations across repeated trials, looking for orientation-dependent differences and possible systematic errors.
Replication
Creating documentation, diagrams, videos, and protocols so other people can reproduce the experiment independently.
How You Can Help
Builders & Makers
Help design and improve drop rigs, release mechanisms, sensor mounts, alignment fixtures, object housings, and repeatable test hardware.
- Woodworking, 3D printing, machining, or CNC experience
- Mechanical design and alignment ideas
- Low-friction release and guidance systems
Electronics & Arduino Help
Help improve the timing system, sensor net, microcontroller communication, timestamp synchronization, and data logging.
- Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, or embedded systems
- IR break-beam sensors and timing circuits
- IMU data collection and calibration
Physics & Engineering Review
Help examine the experiment from a skeptical, technical perspective. The project needs people willing to look for conventional explanations, hidden variables, and better controls.
- Freefall dynamics and drag analysis
- Magnetic field interactions
- Experimental design and error analysis
Data & Statistics
Help turn raw trial data into clear plots, statistical comparisons, uncertainty estimates, and repeatable analysis workflows.
- CSV processing and spreadsheet analysis
- Python, R, MATLAB, or similar tools
- Uncertainty, outlier, and repeatability analysis
Video, Documentation & Public Demos
Help make the project understandable to the public through diagrams, videos, livestreams, build logs, and demonstration planning.
- Video editing and livestreaming
- Experimental documentation
- Public demonstration planning
Skeptics & Replicators
The project needs serious skeptics. If you think the result is probably caused by timing error, alignment error, drag, magnetic interference, or data-processing mistakes, your input is welcome.
- Challenge the assumptions
- Suggest better controls
- Try to replicate or falsify the result
Project Principles
Transparent
Experiments should be documented clearly enough that others can understand what was done, what was measured, and what could have gone wrong.
Replicable
The project should move toward designs and procedures that other people can build, test, and compare against their own results.
Evidence-Driven
The goal is not to defend a preferred conclusion. The goal is to find out what the experiment actually shows.
What To Do After Joining
Introduce Yourself
Say what skills, tools, or interests you bring. Builders, coders, skeptics, students, and observers are all welcome.
Review the Experiments
Look through the current tests, hardware, data, and assumptions before jumping into conclusions.
Pick a Problem
Help with one specific issue: release timing, alignment, sensor noise, drag, data analysis, documentation, or replication.
Improve the Test
Suggest a better control, build a better part, analyze a dataset, or help design the next experimental version.
This Is Not a Belief Requirement
You do not need to believe there is an anomaly to participate. In fact, careful criticism is one of the most valuable contributions. The project needs people who can help determine whether the observed results are real, mistaken, explainable, or worth escalating to more formal testing.
Join the Investigation
If you are interested in experimental physics, magnets, measurement systems, Arduino sensors, engineering design, data analysis, or simply helping test an unusual claim the right way, join the Magnet Freefall Project Discord.
Join the Magnet Freefall Project Discord