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
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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

Projectile Motion II

Purpose:

To show that downward acceleration is independent of horizontal motion.

Procedure:

Place the metal balls on top of each track and make sure they stick to the electric magnets. Both balls are released simultaneously by flipping the switch on the back of the setup. The result is the upper ball striking the lower ball at a point somewhere along the bottom track. Assuming equal initial horizontal motion, the vertical fall of the upper ball does not affect the initial motion.

Equipment:

Wooden Projectile Motion Apparatus
6 or 12 V battery