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

video - Fire Syringe

Purpose:

Adiabatic Heating: to show the increase of temperature during the adiabatic compression of a gas.

Procedure:

DEMO VIDEO DOWNLOAD

Using tweezers, insert one piece of flash paper or cotton into the bottom of the cylinder (we have a poking tool to help do this). Install the piston and screw on the top. Push down quickly on the piston (slap it). Air temperature will rise and paper/cotton will ignite with a flash.

Hints:

Will also work with a small amount of cotton or dry piece of paper towel instead of the flash paper.