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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Surface Tension
Fluid Statics: Hydrostatic Pressure dependence on depth; video - Pascal's Vases; Hydraulic Press; video - Balloon in Vacuum; Marshmallow Man; video - Crush the Soda Can; Magdeburg Hemispheres; Pressure Gauges; Qualitative Pressure Gauge; video - Archimedes' Principle I; Archimedes' Principle II; Archimedes Principle III; Cartesian Diver; Buoyancy of Air; video - Weight of Air
Fluid Dynamics

video - Crush the Soda Can

Purpose:

A demonstration of atmospheric pressure.

Procedure:

DEMO VIDEO DOWNLOAD

Same as demo 4C30.30a showing change of state. Boil a small amount of water in a soda can so that the air in the can is replaced with steam. Turn the can upside down into a glass dish of cool water. The steam in the can will quickly condense leaving a vacuum and the can will be crushed by the pressure of the atmosphere.

Equipment:

Bunsen burner
Ring Stand
Soda Can
Lighter
Glass Dish