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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Electrostatics
Electric Fields And Potential: video - Van de Graaff Generator; video - Electrostatic Bell; Electric Lines of Force; Electrostatic Motor; video - Electric Fields; video - Gauss' Law; Radio in Faraday Cage; video - Fluorescent Bulb in Faraday Cage; video - Lightning Rod; video - Electric Wind; Ionic Drive; video - Smoke Precipitator
Capacitance
Current and Resistance
Electromotive Force And Current
DC Circuits
Magnetic Materials
Magnetism
Inductance
Induction
Complex Circuits
Semiconductors And Tubes
Transmission Lines and Antennas

video - Electrostatic Bell

Purpose:

To show the phenomenon of charge by induction and contact and the musical results thereof.

Procedure:

DEMO VIDEO DOWNLOAD

Connect each electrode of Wimshurst machine to each plate of capacitor. Make separation between plates about 4-5 cm. and hang aluminum ball in between plates. Crank Wimshurst machine slowly and ball will be attracted to a plate by induction. After touching the plate, the ball acquires the plate's charge and is attracted to the other plate. This continues as long as the Wimshurst machine is cranked and produces a bell-like tone.

Equipment:

Wimshurst Machine
Aluminum ball hanging from thread
Connecting Wires
Parallel Plate Capacitor