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
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Modern Physics
Audio-Visual
New or Modified Entries (within the last month)

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Measurement
Motion In One Dimension
Motion In Two Dimensions: Angular Displacement; Whirligig; video - Spinning Tray; Centripetal Force; Spinning Chain; Centripetal Acceleration; Rotational Dynamics; video - Ballistics Cart; video - Shoot and Drop; Projectile Motion II; video - The Monkey and the Hunter; video - Range Gun
Newton's First Law
Newton's Second Law
Newton's Third Law
Statics Of Rigid Bodies
Applications Of Newton's Laws
Gravity
Work and Energy
Momentum
Rotational Motion
Properties of Matter

Centripetal Acceleration

Purpose:

To demonstrate aspects of acceleration in a rotating system and to show the directions of these accelerations.

Procedure:

First, place accelerometer perpendicular to radius and slowly crank platform noting position of water in the accelerometer. Next, place the accelerometer along the radius and spin. Since the accelerometer is accelerated towards the center of the rotating platform, the water inside will feel a fictitious force pushing it towards the outer edge which can be seen by the change of water level as you look from the inner to the outer edges.

Equipment:

Liquid Accelerometer
Rotating Coriolis platform on hand crank frame