List of Physics Demonstrations Currently at UNF
Properties of Materials - Linear Mechanics - Rotational Motion - Electricity and Magnetism - Optics and Wave Phenomena - Fluids and Thermodynamics - Modern Physics
Properties of Materials Demonstrations
Density Rod
Description: Aluminum rod that sinks in warm water and floats in cool water.
Physics principles demonstrated: density, thermal expansion
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Use in conjunction with "Reverse Density Rod".
Reverse Density Rod
Description: PVC rod that sinks in cool water and floats in warm water. Instruction/explanation manual included.
Physics principles demonstrated: density, thermal expansion
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Use in conjunction with "Density Rod".
Archimedes Principle Bucket and Cylinder
Description: Steel bucket that hold exactly the same volume of fluid as the volume of the steel cylinder.
Physics principles demonstrated: density, buoyancy
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Very small. Best used in small class setting.
Weight of Air
Description: Aluminum can that is first filled with air and then evacuated. Weigh the can before and after evacuation. Instructions included.
Physics principles demonstrated: mass, air pressure
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Vacuum pump and scale needed.
Happy Ball Sad Ball
Description: 2 black rubber spheres that look identical, although their reaction when hitting a surface is completely different. The happy ball will rebound like a regular bouncy ball, but the sad ball will just lie on the surface after impact.
Physics principles demonstrated: elastic vs. inelastic collisions, coefficient of restitution, polymerization
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: 2 sets available in demo room
Matter Molecule
Description: Spring connected set of plastic balls that simulate a molecule of matter. Can be used to explain the normal force.
Physics principles demonstrated: Normal force, molecular bonds, cubic structure
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Can be disassembled and rearranged into new molecular structure.
Prince Rupert Drops
Description: Formed by a drop of molten glass being rapidly cooled in water, these drops are extremely strong on their core but extremely weak on their tip. The drop can withstand a hammer blow on the core, but will implode due to a small impact on the tip. See here for the Reference material.
Physics principles demonstrated: internal forces, kinetic energy, molecular bonds
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Very small, best used in small class setting or projected for better viewing.
Linear Mechanics Demonstrations
Inclined Plane
Description: Hinged wooden planks with large protractor and ruler. Pulley attached at top.
Physics principles demonstrated: friction, forces, Newton's laws
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Hover Puck
Description: Puck that hovers over the ground by air and demonstrates motion within a very low-friction environment.
Physics principles demonstrated: constant velocity, Law of inertia
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Uses batteries
Pasco PAScar Dynamics System Track and Carts
Description: Low friction carts and track with many accessories, such as weights, pulley, magnets, and springs.
Physics principles demonstrated: basic dynamics
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Can be used in conjunction with many other Pasco products such as motion sensor, photogate timer, and/or Pasco Interface.
Variable Speed Motorized Cart
Description: Motorized cart that uses either 4 "C" batteries or external DC power supply to travel at a constant speed ranging from 8-25 cm/s.
Physics principles demonstrated: constant velocity
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Can be used in conjunction with many other Pasco products such as motion sensor, photogate timer, dynamic system cart/track and/or Pasco Interface.
4 Track Elevated Race
Description: Set of 4 tracks that start at same height, but decline in different ways.
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of energy
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Needs four identical balls (steel balls should be with apparatus).
Single Elevated Track
Description: Approximately 5 ft long elevated track that rises, falls, and rises again.
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of energy, friction
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Needs ball
Loop the loop
Description: Track with loop
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of energy, friction
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: In labeled box (as seen in picture), with 2 steel balls.
Projectile Launcher
Description: Pasco projectile launcher with protractor, ram rod, release string and mount.
Physics principles demonstrated: projectile motion, conservation of energy, independence of x & y directions
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: In labeled box (as seen in picture), with 2 plastic balls. Needs clamp to affix mount to table.
Horizontally launched vs. Dropped Projectile (Pasco)
Description: Apparatus that simultaneously drops one ball while horizontally launching another ball.
Physics principles demonstrated: projectile motion, independence of x & y directions
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: In labeled box, with 2 steel balls. Needs clamp to affix mount to table. Somewhat small device that may be hard to see in large class setting.
Horizontally launched vs. Dropped Projectile (Cenco)
Description: Apparatus that simultaneously drops one ball while horizontally launching another ball.
Physics principles demonstrated: projectile motion, independence of x & y directions
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: In labeled box, with 2 steel balls. Needs clamp to affix mount to table. Slightly larger apparatus than Pasco version above.
Monkey Hunter
Description: Apparatus that drops a toy monkey when you release the trigger of your dart gun. Explore projectile motion concepts quantitatively or qualitatively with this fun demonstration.
Physics principles demonstrated: projectile motion, independence of x & y directions
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: In labeled plastic case. Assembly required!
Ballistic Pendulum
Description: Pendulum that is launched by spring loaded gun and maximum height is recorded.
Physics principles demonstrated: projectile motion, conservation of energy, impulse
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Loading the gun requires a strong push.
Ballistic Car
Description: Car that will eject a steel ball vertically when triggered. Best to push car along straight track, release ball and ask students if the ball will land in front of, behind, or in car.
Physics principles demonstrated: projectile motion, independence of x & y directions
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Takes practice to successfully pull trigger cord in smooth manner and allow car to continue on straight track. Do not use this demo without practice or you will teach your students the opposite of what you actually want!
Feather/Coin in a vacuum tube
Description: Plastic tube that contains feather and a coin. Once evacuated, the feather and coin should fall to the bottom of the tube in the same amount of time.
Physics principles demonstrated: Acceleration due to gravity, projectile motion
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Needs vacuum pump.
Feather/Coin in a vacuum tube (manual pump)
Description: Plastic tube that contains feather and a coin. Once evacuated, the feather and coin should fall to the bottom of the tube in the same amount of time.
Physics principles demonstrated: Acceleration due to gravity, projectile motion
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Manual evacuator is very slow and requires a lot of effort.
Newton's cradle
Description: Set of 5 steel balls suspended by light strings.
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, elastic vs. inelastic collisions, impulse
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Tension Protractor Set
Description: Devices that display the tension in the attached string, with unit circle displayed behind for easy angular reading. 4 tension protractors available in demo room.
Physics principles demonstrated: vectors, tension, forces, Newton's 2nd Law
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Requires assembly on rod/stands as seen in picture. Maximum tension that can be read is 10N.
Equal Length Spring Set
Description: Set of 5 springs that have equal unstretched lengths, but different force constants.
Physics principles demonstrated: forces, Hooke's Law
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Requires assembly on rod/stands as seen in picture.
Fan Cart
Description: Mobile cart with removable plastic sail. Without sail, cart doesn't move when fan is turned on. With the sail, the cart will move when the fan is turned on.
Physics principles demonstrated: forces, Newton's 3rd Law
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Batteries required for fan.
Rotational Motion Demonstrations
Record Player
Description: Record player with pennies that can be placed at various distances from the center. Vary the speed of the record player to explore the forces on the pennies.
Physics principles demonstrated: centripetal force, centripetal acceleration, angular acceleration, angular speed, friction
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Works, but is not obvious (to individuals not familiar with record players, perhaps) to use without prior practice.
Cenco Gyroscope
Description: Large commercial gyroscope with stand and counter balance,
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of energy, conservation of angular momentum
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Needs lubrication to work better.
Toy Gyroscopes
Description: Numerous small toy gyroscopes with stands and wind-up strings.
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of energy, conservation of angular momentum
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Very small, best used in small class setting. May need lubrication to work better.
Super Stacking Tops
Description: Set of 5 tops and 1 launcher that are meant to be stacked on top of each other as they spin. Watch this video for a successful demonstration.
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of angular momentum
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Fairly difficult to achieve full stack (my best was a stack of 3). Practice a lot beforehand. Very cool if you can do it!
The Vortx
Description: Plastic device to launch coins into spinning motion, tangent to curved surface. As coins spin into well, their rotational velocity increases.
Physics principles demonstrated: gyroscopic motion, rotational energy, conservation of energy
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Coin not included.
Euler's Disk
Description: Heavy metal disk that is spun on top of a smooth concave surface. Disk will spin for very long periods of time. See here for the Detailed instructions (and in box).
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of energy, conservation of angular momentum
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Smooth surface is currently broken, but will be replaced.
Flip N Flyer
Description: Disk on an elastic cord that can be swung and and caught by the cord. Also, can be used similarly to a yo-yo as a solo toy. Watch this video for ideas on how to use this demo.
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of angular momentum, gyroscopic forces
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Rotational Inertia Apparatus
Description: Apparatus that has multiple pulleys and weights to illustrate concepts of rotational motion. Weights can be placed at various distances from the center. String can be attached to the pulleys and a mass can be dropped to create a uniform torque at various distances from center.
Physics principles demonstrated: moment of inertia, torque
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Use a weight suspended on a string and attach to apparatus. Apparatus may be mounted on pole/stand for better use. See for Arbor Scientific page for video reference.
Maxwell's Wheel
Description: Axle-mounted fly-wheel suspended at both ends by a nylon cord. When the wheel is dropped, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. The jerk, when the wheel reaches the bottom, reverses the linear momentum causing the wheel to wind back up.
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of energy, conservation of linear & angular momentum, inertia, torque, nearly elastic collisions
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Ring and Disk Set
Description: Steel ring and wooden disk that have the same radius and same mass. Roll each down an inclined plane to explain how mass distribution affects rotational motion.
Physics principles demonstrated: moment of inertia, rotational kinetic energy
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Inclined plane not included with ring and disk set.
Bicycle Wheel and Turntable
Description: Bicycle wheel can be suspended from attached rope or held by peg. Student can stand on rotatable platform to experience rotational motion while holding wheel.
Physics principles demonstrated: conservation of angular momentum, precession, torque
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Have (small) student stand on platform. Hold student in place while other student starts wheel spinning. Let go of (small) student and have them raise the spinning wheel over their head or into different plane. (Small) student will start rotating on platform to conserve momentum. Works best with small student so effect is more noticeable. Larger student can be used for contrast.
Rotating Accelerometer
Description: Thin tank filled with fluid, mounted on rotatable platform. Liquid forms parabolic surface when spun.
Physics principles demonstrated: acceleration, centripetal acceleration/force
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Swinging Cup
Description: Platform with handle and base that can be swung in a vertical circle. Place cup filled with water on base to demonstrate effect of centripetal force.
Physics principles demonstrated: centripetal acceleration/force
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Longer string could be added to increase size of circle.
Weighted Meter Stick
Description: Meter stick with weight attached at one end.
Physics principles demonstrated: moment of inertia, stability, center of mass, torque
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Ask students if attaching weight at end will make it easier or more difficult to balance meter stick on finger (weight at far end). Can be easily explained using moment of inertia conceptual argument (mass farther from axis of rotation increases resistance to rotation). Can be explained more rigorously by finding center of mass and calculating torque, etc.
Centrifugal Circle
Description: Wooden circle with cut out piece that can be removed to create semi-circle. Illustrates that circular track causes ball to travel in circle or tangentially to track, but never radially.
Physics principles demonstrated: centripetal acceleration, radial acceleration, rotational motion, Law of inertia
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Needs ball. Pieces can be difficult to separate (loosen before class!).
Plum bob and Stop Watch
Description: Plum attached to long string can be used to explore pendulums and oscillatory motion. Use the stop watch to quantify how period of oscillation is affected by various factors (string length, mass of pendulum...)
Physics principles demonstrated: pendulums
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Electricity and Magnetism Demonstrations
Tesla Coil
Description: Table top Tesla coil apparatus that includes two antenna plates, small neon light bulb, mini discharge electrode and lamp socket.
Physics principles demonstrated: high-frequency electrical phenomena, transformers, inductance, capacitance, power transmission
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Video of working demo seen here.
Jacob's Ladder Climbing Arc Apparatus
Description: Pair of long metal electrodes, enclosed in transparent acrylic tube, are connected to a high voltage power source. When turned on, the potential difference between the electrodes increases until the air between them is ionized and a spark forms. As the super-heated air rises, the spark climbs up the electrodes.
Physics principles demonstrated: power transmission, dielectric mediums
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Apparatus should not be operated for more than a few minutes at a time due to heating. Detailed info on a similar apparatus can be found here.
Plasma Ball
Description: Clear sphere filled with gas and high-voltage electrode at center that produces "lightning".
Physics principles demonstrated: ionization
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Small, but pretty cool when lights are turned off.
Electroscopes
Description: Numerous types and sizes of standard electroscopes are available in the demo room.
Physics principles demonstrated: electrostatics
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Accessories (rabbit fur, silk, glass rods, etc) can be found in "Electrostatics" box.
Fun Fly Stick / Electro Wand
Description: Toys that use the principles of electrostatics to levitate mylar strips.
Physics principles demonstrated: electrostatics
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Use cloths from "Electrostatics" box to charge up Electro Wand. Fun Fly Stick requires batteries.
Electrostatics Kit
Description: Boxes filled with rabbit furs, silk cloths, wool cloths, pith balls, glass rods, PVC rods and all the standard items used to demonstrate charge transfer.
Physics principles demonstrated: electrostatics
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Use electroscope demo in conjunction with these materials.
Equipotential and Field Gradient Mapper
Description: Electric field of shape drawn by conductive ink pen on high resistivity paper is mapped out using voltmeter.
Physics principles demonstrated: electric field
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Pasco manual with suggested experiments found here. DC power supply and voltmeter required.
Conducting Spheres and Plates
Description: 1 set of two large hollow metal spheres and 1 set of metal plates to be used to illustrate distribution of charge and/or electric field of conductors.
Physics principles demonstrated: electrostatics, charge
Location: Demo room 1100
Note: Voltage supply and multimeter needed to charge metal and measure potential.
Van de Graaff generators
Description: Multiple Van de Graaff generators, or various sizes, can be found in our demo room.
Physics principles demonstrated: electrostatics, charge, high voltage
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Replacement belt for generator pictured at right: ASIN B00A3EXBHC sold from Scientifics Online
Faraday Ice Pail
Description: Concentric cylindrical mesh cages used to illustrate charge distribution. Can also be used as a basic Faraday cage, which shields effects from nearby Van de Graaf generators, for example. Manual for Faraday ice pail found here.
Physics principles demonstrated: electrostatics, charge, high voltage
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Portable radio included, which looses its signal when placed in the cage. Electrometer, Van de Graaf generator and other instruments can be used in conjunction with this item for better demonstrations.
Cathode Ray Tube - Electrostatic Deflection
Description: Cylindrical glass tube with 4 terminals that, when connected to an induction coil or appropriate power supply, generates a ray of charged particles which can be manipulated with a electric field.
Physics principles demonstrated: charges, electrostatics
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Needs high voltage power supply. 2 of these are available in the demo room. Short manual included.
Sliding Rheostat
Description: Large variable resistor that can be used in conjunction with other circuit elements. 0-50 Ohms, 1.5A.
Physics principles demonstrated: circuits, resistors
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Other circuit elements or Ohmmeter needed for this to be interesting.
Air Core Solenoid Set
Description: Outer solenoid with hollow center that can be filled with secondary coil and/or plastic rod.
Physics principles demonstrated: induction, electric/magnetic fields
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Pasco manual found here (this set may not actually be Pasco brand). Power supply or other accessories needed for most demonstrations.
Electric Induction Coil
Description: Induction coil produces pulses of high voltage current from a low voltage direct current power source.
Physics principles demonstrated: induction, electric/magnetic fields
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Can be used in conjunction with cathode ray tube or radiometer.
Transformer Coils Set
Description: Set of various turn coils and U-shaped core.
Physics principles demonstrated: induction
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Pasco manual with four suggested experiments can be found here. You may need other accessories such as a galvanometer, bar magnet and power supply.
Conductivity of Solutions
Description: Glass container with PVC cover, mounted with lamp socket and two binding posts for connection wires. Two electrodes are connected to the binding posts and can be emerged in the desired fluid.
Physics principles demonstrated: circuits, resistors
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Solution and 3V DC power supply not included.
Random Oscillating Magnetic Pendulum
Description: 9 neodymium magnets are placed, however you wish, below a magnetic pendulum. The pendulum erratically drifts through the energy field below.
Physics principles demonstrated: magnetic force, pendulums, chaos, random motion
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Hand-driven Motor/Generator
Description: Hand cranked pulley is coupled to a small dynamo pulley by rubber belt to give a step-up ratio. Turning the pulley generates current via commutator. Ammeter can be connected to output to quantify production of current.
Physics principles demonstrated: electric motors, generators
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Not currently functional; needs new belt.
Super Strong Electromagnet
Description: Small electromagnet capable of lifting up to 200 lbs in weight. Constructed from sturdy steel core, hefty eye-bolt and attached battery holder. Ropes included to attach electromagnet as desired. Instruction manual included.
Physics principles demonstrated: electromagnets, circuits, forces
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Needs 1 D-cell battery to operate.
Mini DC Motor
Description: Small battery operated electric motor. Instruction manual included.
Physics principles demonstrated: electric motors, generators
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Needs battery to operate.
Magnetic Field in a Current Carrying Wire
Description: Set of 3 plastic liquid-filled devices used to demonstrate the magnetic field of a current carrying wire in different configurations.
Physics principles demonstrated: electromagnetic fields, circuits
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Requires a 12-18V DC power supply.
Visible Magnetic Field
Description: Numerous variations on visualizing the magnetic field using tiny compasses and iron filings in 2D and 3D.
Physics principles demonstrated: magnetic field lines
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Magnets can be found in the "Miscellaneous Magnets" box.
3-D Magnetic Field Demonstrator
Description: Iron filings suspended in fluid, encased in acrylic block. Insert bar magnet(s) in various configurations to demonstrate field lines in 3-D.
Physics principles demonstrated: magnetism
Location: Grace's office 50/2816
Notes: 1 bar magnet included. Others can be used to in combination with nonmagnetic spacer to create various fields.
Magnetic Dip Needle and Compass
Description: Very large demonstration dip needle to show inclination of earth's magnetic field. Use needle as a compass to find the direction of the horizontal component of the earth's field. Then orient dip needle vertically so that it lies in the north-south plane.
Physics principles demonstrated: magnetic fields
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Magnetizer
Description: Can be used as a demonstration itself, or to remagnetize old magnets for use in other demonstrations.
Physics principles demonstrated: magnetism
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Insert bar or magnet into each cavity and press the button. 3 keeper bar magnets are included to remagnetize magnets that are too large to fit in the cavity.
Ring Launcher
Description: AC powered coil that creates magnetic field when momentarily turned on. Place any of the accessory objects (metallic rings, split ring, light bulb) on the launcher and watch the effect when the launcher is pulsed on.
Physics principles demonstrated: electromagnetic fields, induction, Lenz's Law
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Rings are launched fairly high. Try not to hit anyone (especially yourself).
Magnetic Braking Demonstration System
Description: Variable gap magnet with induction paddles, current swing, mounting rod and 2 small rods. The metallic swinging paddles will come to a stop when traveling through the magnetic field. Details and manual found here.
Physics principles demonstrated: electromagnetic fields, induction, Lenz's Law, paramagnetism, diamagnetism
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Power supply needed if you want to use current-carrying wire swing (not necessary for other parts of demo).
Magnetic Force Accelerator
Description: A uniform magnetic field is produced along the edges of this apparatus by permanent magnets. A 12 V DC power supply can be connected across the apparatus, which will cause the metal tubing laying on top of the apparatus to accelerate off the end of the plane. Illustrates right hand rule.
Physics principles demonstrated: magnetic force, right hand rule, induction
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Requires 12VDC, 15A power supply and connecting leads.
Magnetic Accelerator
Description: Slightly inclined track with 4 steel balls and 1 magnetic ball. Place 3 steel balls at the middle of the track and release the steel ball from the top. The last steel ball will be ejected and rise a little up the ramp (like the Newton's Cradle demo). Repeat the experiment with the magnetic ball and note (extreme) differences. Instructions and explanation found here.
Physics principles demonstrated: magnetic force, conservation of energy, conservation of momentum
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Optics and Wave Phenomena Demonstrations
Disappearing Beaker
Description: Small glass beaker emerged in corn syrup in larger container. The portion of the beaker emerged in the corn syrup seems to be invisible due to the matching of indices of refraction between the glass beaker and corn syrup.
Physics principles demonstrated: refraction, index of refraction
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Fairly small, best used in a small class setting.
Phantom Crystals
Description: Carbon based polymers that absorb up to 300x their weight in water. When fully bloated, the crystals seem to disappear in water because their index of refraction is so close to that of water. Detailed information can be found here.
Physics principles demonstrated: refraction, index of refraction
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Fairly small, best used in a small class setting. Suspend crystal on paperclip and emerge in beaker of water. Ask students if they think there could be anything in the beaker other than the paperclip. Discuss what index of refraction really means.
The Light Crystal
Description: Bevel cut plastic prism that separates regular sunlight into rainbow.
Physics principles demonstrated: dispersion, refraction, light-color theory
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Fairly small, best used in a small class setting.
Thin Slit Diffraction
Description: HeNe laser mounted on horizontal track. Various diffraction magnetic mounted gratings can be placed on track and diffraction pattern can be displayed on projection screen.
Physics principles demonstrated: diffraction
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Circular apertures, Holographic Diffraction grating, double slit (various spacing and widths), multiple slits (common widths and spacing), Fresnel zone plates, single slits (various widths) magnetically mounted grating should be found on or near laser set-up.
Blackboard Optics Kit and Light Source
Description: Large set of flat and curved prisms that can be magnetically attached to chalk/whiteboard. Many different accessories available in box. Light source can produce numerous parallel white light beams.
Physics principles demonstrated: basic optics principles
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Light source requires DC power supply.
Magnifying Lenses
Description: Multiple magnifying lenses of various shapes/sizes; mostly from a deconstructed overhead projector.
Physics principles demonstrated: basic optics principles
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
LED array
Description: Set of colored LED lights in vertical array with labeled colors and wavelengths.
Physics principles demonstrated: electromagnetic spectrum, light, LEDs
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Newton's Color Wheel
Description: Set of plastic color wheels that are spun at high speed to produce various colors.
Physics principles demonstrated: color mixing
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Requires motorized Demonstration Spinner. Demonstration video found here.
IR Lamp
Description: Large lamp with infrared bulb.
Physics principles demonstrated: electromagnetic spectrum, energy, heat
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Gets hot quick; limit use.
Geometric Optics Experiment
Description: Hollow transparent tank, backed by a unit circle, with attached movable laser can be filled with water (or other fluid) to demonstrate Snell's Law and total internal reflection.
Physics principles demonstrated: reflection, refraction, index of refraction, Snell's Law, total internal reflection
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Laser needs battery.
Laser Optical Disc Set
Description: Complete set consists of laser that can project 1, 3, or 5 parallel beams, various geometric prisms, mounting device for prisms, plane and curved mirrors, magnetic unit circle, and suggested activities booklet.
Physics principles demonstrated: reflection, refraction, diffraction, Snell's Law
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Laser is simply plugged in and turns on quickly. Length of power cord is very short and should be lengthened by an extension cord (not included) for class activities.
Newton's Rings Display
Description: Two glass disks are pressed against each other by a 3-screw mechanical mount. Interference patterns can be seen and modified by adjusting the screws.
Physics principles demonstrated: reflection, refraction, thin film interference
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Fairly small, best used in a small class setting.
Polarizers
Description: Two large polarizers that can be rotated relative to one another to show properties of light.
Physics principles demonstrated: polarization
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Many other smaller polarizers can be found in same location as these large polarizers. An overhead projector (also found in demo room) can be used in combination with these polarizers to display the effect on a larger scale.
Double Concave Mirror Illusion
Description: 2 concave mirrors, one with a hole at the center, are put together and a small object is placed inside at the center of the bottom mirror. An image of the object forms at the outside of the top mirror.
Physics principles demonstrated: real or imaginary images, mirrors
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Large Concave/Convex Mirrors
Description: 1 large convex mirror and 1 large concave mirror
Physics principles demonstrated: reflection, radius of curvature, real or imaginary images
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: More than 1 set of these available in demo room.
Transverse and Longitudinal Wave Display
Description: A number of eccentric disks supporting a series of metal rods are revolved by a hand crank. A transverse wave is formed by the up-down movement of the vertical rods. A longitudinal wave is formed by compression of the horizontal rods . Both wave types can be seen at the same time and compared simultaneously.
Physics principles demonstrated: wave propagation
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Ripple Tank (Pasco)
Description: Shallow glass tank that is filled with water to demonstrate wave principles. The surface is vibrated by an oscillator and illuminated by a white light source. Waves are projected onto large screen for easy viewing. Detailed information found here.
Physics principles demonstrated: wave propagation, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, Doppler Effect
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Not currently functional; missing pieces.
Ripple Tank (Homemade)
Description: Shallow plastic tank that is filled with water to demonstrate wave principles. The surface is vibrated by an oscillator and wave patterns can be viewed from above.
Physics principles demonstrated: wave propagation, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, Doppler Effect
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Not currently functional.
Doppler Rocket
Description: Plastic device that is emits a loud noise when turned on. Can be swung in various ways to explore how the noise changes as the rocket is moving away or closer to observer. Instructions and experiment ideas included in box.
Physics principles demonstrated: Doppler effect, sound
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: 9V battery required.
String Vibrator (Pasco)
Description: Mechanical apparatus to vibrate an elastic cord to create standing wave patterns. See this site for full information.
Physics principles demonstrated: reflection, interference, wave harmonics
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Requires signal and AC power source (not included).
Open speaker
Description: Speaker not enclosed in speaker cabinet to explore wave phenomena, especially resonance. Aluminum bracket holds speaker perpendicular to table and two standard banana plugs provide input connection. Can be used in conjunction with resonance tubes to study resonance in an air column. Manual and suggested activities found here.
Physics principles demonstrated: frequency, amplitude, resonance, other wave properties
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Requires function generator and/or power source.
Sympathetic Tuning Fork Set
Description: 2 large identical tuning forks mounted on wooden resonating boxes with mallet. One tuning fork can be adjusted to resonate at a different frequency. Beats can be produced between the two forks. Instructions and videos found here.
Physics principles demonstrated: frequency, resonance
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Stored in black, vinyl case.
Tuning Fork Set
Description: Set of 8 calibrated tuning forks and mallet.
Physics principles demonstrated: frequency, resonance
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Stored in black, vinyl case.
Chladni Plates
Description: Square and circular surfaces that are connected to a mechanical oscillator. Sand (or salt) is sprinkled on the plate and collects along the nodal lines of the wave patterns produced my the oscillator.
Physics principles demonstrated: frequency, resonance
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Function generator needed to connect to mechanical oscillator (not included).
Guitar
Description: Small toy guitar.
Physics principles demonstrated: frequency, resonance, sound waves
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: At least one string (B string) broken.
Organ Pipe
Description: Large wooden organ pipe with variable length. Blow into the pipe with and without the stopper to compare the pitch.
Physics principles demonstrated: frequency, resonance, standing waves in open/closed system
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Resonance Air Column with Speaker
Description: Plastic tube with mini speaker and movable piston. Manual and suggested experiments found here.
Physics principles demonstrated: frequency, resonance, standing waves in open/closed system
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Requires signal generator (not included) to drive the mini-speaker.
Resonance Wire Loop
Description: Wire loop that is vibrated by mechanical oscillator and illustrates circular resonance modes. Manual and suggested experiments found here.
Physics principles demonstrated: resonance, standing waves, Bohr's quantum atom (classical model)
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Mechanical driver can be found with Chladni Plates demo. Function generator is needed to operate mechanical driver.
Fluids and Thermodynamics Demonstrations
Molecular Motion Model
Description: Tiny steel balls inside thin plastic vessel simulate molecules of a gas. Heat is simulated by vibrations produced by external source. As the balls are vibrated, they eventually provide enough pressure on the top of the vessel to open.
Physics principles demonstrated: temperature, pressure, volume, Maxwell's kinetic theory of gases
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Mechanical wave driver and function generator necessary (not included). Instructions and manual found here.
The Mechanical Equivalent of Heat
Description: Hand cranked apparatus with embedded thermistor to quantify the heat generated by work done to support a mass.
Physics principles demonstrated: work, temperature, friction
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Needs nylon rope and object to hang from apparatus. Detailed instructions found here.
Hero's Engine
Description: Consists of a water filled glass flask with 2 opposing nozzles, suspended from a support rod. Heat up the flask and the steam will cause the system to rotate.
Physics principles demonstrated: work, temperature, steam turbines, Newton's 3rd law
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: You must supply heat source and stand. Instructions included.
Thermal Expansion Rods
Description: Device that can accurately measure small changes in length due to thermal expansion. Comes with set of 4 rods (steel, aluminum, brass, and copper) and sensitive micrometer.
Physics principles demonstrated: thermal expansion, heat transfer
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: You need to provide method of heating rods (hot water).
Miscellaneous Thermal Expansion Demonstrators
Description: Devices that illustrate how materials expand or contract when heated or cooled.
Physics principles demonstrated: thermal expansion, heat transfer
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: You need to provide method of heating or cooling.
Transon - A New Polymer
Description: Sheet of polymer material with 2 circles cut out. Heat the circles and predict if they will still fit in the holes afterward.
Physics principles demonstrated: thermal expansion, heat transfer
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: You need to provide method of heating.
Melting Blocks
Description: 2 seemingly identical tiles with O-rings. Place an ice cube on each and put the O-ring around it (to contain the water). Watch and wait for the ice to melt. One tile is actually made of a styrofoam-like material that will prevent the ice from melting as quickly as the other tile.
Physics principles demonstrated: heat transfer, thermal insulators vs. conductors
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Bring your own ice.
Heat Absorption and Radiation Comparator
Description: Heat source (light bulb) placed between 2 parabolic metal bodies, one shiny metal and one matte black. The two bodies have thermometer holders attached for temperature readings.
Physics principles demonstrated: heat transfer, black bodies
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Thermometers not included. Needs power source.
Convection and Ventilation Box
Description: Rectangular box with transparent side and plastic chimney tubes. Place a lit candle inside the box, under one chimney. Ignite smoke paper and hold outside box, near other chimney. Watch as smoke is pulled into and out of the box. Remove corks on sides of box to experiment with air flow. Suggested procedure found here.
Physics principles demonstrated: heat flow, air pressure, air flow, density of air
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Smoke is produced during this demo, so only perform this in a well-ventilated space.
Candle in a Jar
Description: Light a candle in shallow pool of water. Place a glass jar on top of the candle and watch the water rise as the candle burns out.
Physics principles demonstrated: air pressure, density of air, ideal gas law
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Use a pie plate or other shallow receptacle in conjunction with these jars.
Radiometer
Description: Clear glass bulb with 2 sets of black/yellow vanes in near perfect vacuum. When exposed to electromagnetic radiation, the vanes will spin.
Physics principles demonstrated: black-body absorption/radiation, heat engine
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Pneumatics Discovery Kit
Description: Complete set of syringes, tubes, valves and other materials to explore hydraulic principles by building models. Teacher's guide included.
Physics principles demonstrated: air pressure and other pneumatic principles
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Never been opened kit as of 12/2016.
Air/Water Rockets
Description: Various air/water rockets with tubing and pumps.
Physics principles demonstrated: air pressure, fluid dynamics
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Assembly required.
Vacuum Jar
Description: Glass jar and base with fittings that connect to a vacuum pump.
Physics principles demonstrated: atmospheric pressure
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Vacuum pump needed.
Magdeburg Plates
Description: Set of two plastic disks with handles separated by an O-ring. A syringe is used to create a partial vacuum between the plates. Ask students to try to separate plates.
Physics principles demonstrated: atmospheric pressure
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Instruction manual and accessories included.
Venturi Tube with Manometer
Description: Vertical 3 tube system attached to horizontal tube with varying radius. When a fluid is placed in the manometer (3 tube system) and air flows through the Venturi tube (varying radius tube) the air pressure varies between the 3 tubes, causing the fluid to rise to varying levels.
Physics principles demonstrated: Bernoulli effect, air pressure, air flow,
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: You must supply the air flow.
Force of Cohesion
Description: Set of two very smooth metallic disks with handles. Place a drop or 2 of water on the face of one plate and bring the plates together. Ask students to try to separate plates.
Physics principles demonstrated: surface tension, electric force, molecular bonds
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Please return plates to protective plastic for storage!
Surface Tension Demonstrator (Giant Bubble Maker)
Description: Very large PVC frame to make huge soap bubbles. Instructions included with apparatus in box.
Physics principles demonstrated: surface tension
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Soapy water not included. Assembly required!
The Amazing Windbag - One Breath Bernoulli Bag
Description: Inflate entire large bag with just one breath by breathing into the bag from a ~1/2 ft distance.
Physics principles demonstrated: properties of air molecules, Bernoulli Effect, air pressure
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Detailed instructions included in bag set.
Modern Physics
Spectral Discharge Tubes
Description: Kit of various gas discharge tubes and one lamp.
Physics principles demonstrated: Atomic structure, photon energy
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: Various forms of viewing films are found near the kit.
Digital Geiger Counter
Description: Quantify the amount of radioactive activity near you with this digital Geiger counter. Power supply, output cables and instructions included in box.
Physics principles demonstrated: radioactive decay
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes:
Personal Dosimeter
Description: Clip-on x-ray and gamma ray radiation meter.
Physics principles demonstrated: radioactive decay
Location: Demo room 1100
Notes: 2 available in demo room.