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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Harmonic Motion
Waves
Acoustics
Instruments: Sonometer; Open / Closed Resonance Tube; Resonant tunning fork; video - Dancing Flames (Ruben's Tube); video - Air Driven Organ Pipe; Singing Tubes and Rods; Chladni Figures; video - Breaking a Wine Glass

Sonometer

Purpose:

To demonstrate the principles of vibrating strings.

Procedure:

As the sonometer strings are bowed, the harmonic nodes may be shown by stopping the wire with the edge of the rubber eraser at 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, etc. of its length. A tuning fork is struck and then the stem is placed solidly on the sonometer. When the wire is tuned to the frequency of the fork, sympathetic resonance can be heard.

Equipment:

Sonometer
Rubber Eraser
Tuning Forks
Violin Bow