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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Thermal Properties Of Matter
Heat And The First Law: Calorimeter; Heat Capacity using Wax and metal Balls; video - Convection Box; Convection Chimney; Chimney with Vane; video - Heat Conduction; video - Thermal Conductivity; video - Light The Match; Leslie Cube; Boiling Water in a Paper Cup; Steam Gun; video - Fire Syringe; Jug O' Air
Change Of State
Kinetic Theory
Gas Law
Entropy And The Second Law

Steam Gun

Purpose:

To demonstrate the mechanical equivalent of heat by converting friction energy losses into heat, as well as the constant volume heat law.

Procedure:

Put a little bit of water into the gun tube/barrel, cork it well and squeeze the barrel between two wooden blocks. Insert the barrel into the hand drill and tighten. After running the drill for about 30sec the water inside the barrel/tube boils and the steam pressure pops the cork/stopper with great speed.

Hints:

The hand drill can be locked running

Equipment:

Hand Drill
Steam Gunn Apparatus