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
Fluid Dynamics: video - Torricelli's Law; Air Driven Devices; video - Venturi Tube; Toilet paper gun; video - Airplane Wing in Wind Tunnel; video - Air Flow Dynamics; Magnus Effect - Cart on Track; video - Magnus Effect Appartus; Terminal Velocity in Glycerin and Water; Terminal Velocity of Coffee Filters; video - Laminar and Turbulent Flow; Tornado Vortex; Vortex Cannon

video - Air Flow Dynamics

Purpose:

To demonstrate the action of air flow on different objects.

Procedure:

DEMO VIDEO DOWNLOAD

video DEMO VIDEO DOWNLOAD w/ sound

DEMO VIDEO DOWNLOAD w/ sound

Curve ball may be demonstrated by using the thrower and Styrofoam ball. The ball curves in the direction of the leading edge spin.
Ping-pong ball may be supported on a jet of compressed air (held vertical or at an angle) and may also be held in a funnel expelling air. There is a leaf blower & beach ball version as well.
The Plexiglas plates can be held together with quite an impressive force by blowing air through the nozzle and bringing the plates together.
The capillary (atomizer) can be made to raise the water all the way to the top by blowing the air across the capillary top opening and thus lowering the pressure. A spray of water will result.
By carefully blowing into the recyclable tube the ball can be made to go round and round.

Hints:

Leaf blower & beach ball for large lecture spaces: Red Toro 51586 Leaf Blower Manual (140 mph)

When extending the plastic flexible tubing for the compressed air line, please use thicker wall tubing to avoid "blow outs".

Equipment:

Ping-Pong Ball
Styrofoam ball and thrower
Rubber Air Hose
Plexiglass Plates (one has a nozzle for air)
Funnel w/ Attached Rubber Tube