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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Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics
Oscillations And Waves
Thermodynamics
Electricity And Magnetism
Optics
Modern Physics
Audio-Visual
New or Modified Entries (within the last month)

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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

Magdeburg Hemispheres

Purpose:

To illustrate the effects of atmospheric pressure.

Procedure:

Evacuate the hemispheres and have a volunteer from the class try and pull them apart (or two can try as shown below). With hands in front of the chest it is extremely difficult but with hands behind the neck, much more leverage is gained and it can be done.

Equipment:

Vaccum Pump
Magdeburg hemispheres