Physics Demo Manual

Demonstrations are cataloged according to PIRA Bibliography

PLEASE REQUEST DEMOS WELL IN ADVANCE

Due to Physics Building renovations, the lead time to set up demo requests has increased due to the need to transport equipment across campus. Please be kind and let me know well ahead of time what you need.

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Harmonic Motion: video - Pendula, Spring and Simple; Pendula, Conical and Torsional; video - Pendula, Physical (Center of Percussion); Projected Uniform Circular Motion; Damped Mass on Spring; video - Forced Oscillations; Hacksaw Blade Resonance; video - Resonance Wire Ring; video - Inverted Pendulum - Function Generator; Inverted Pendulum - Reciprocating Saw; Coupled Pendulum Oscillators; Coupled Magnetic Oscillations; Coupled Harmonic Oscillators; Lissajous Figures on the Scope; Lissajous Fifures with Laser; Parametric Amplifier / Oscillator
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Instruments

Damped Mass on Spring

Purpose:

To demonstrate various modes of damped harmonic oscillations.

Procedure:

Set up the damped oscillations setup consisting of a weight on spring inside a Plexiglas tube and a set of rubber stoppers with various diameter holes in them. Demonstrate the harmonic oscillations without damping by pulling the weight by the string. Next plug the various rubber stops on the bottom of the tube to increase the air resistance in the tube and demonstrate various damping modes. The over damped oscillations (exponential decay) can be achieved by plugging a solid rubber stopper and exciting the oscillations from the top of the spring.