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
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Electrostatics
Electric Fields And Potential
Capacitance
Current and Resistance
Electromotive Force And Current
DC Circuits
Magnetic Materials
Magnetism: Magnet collection; video - Magnetic Fields w/ Iron Filings; video - Magnetic Fields w/ Matrix of Iron Rods; video - Magnetic Fields Associated with Current Carrying Wires 1; video - Magnetic Fields Associated with Current Carrying Wires 2; video - Solenoid w/ Iron core; video - Magnetic Deflection of an Electron Beam; video - e/m Tube Lorentz Force Demonstrator; Magnetohydrodynamic Motor; video - Forces Between Current Carrying Wires; video - Vibrating Lamp Filament; video - Force on a Current Carrying Wire in a Magnetic Field; Hall Effect; video - Galvanometer Movement
Inductance
Induction
Complex Circuits
Semiconductors And Tubes
Transmission Lines and Antennas

video - Forces Between Current Carrying Wires

Purpose:

To demonstrate the magnetic forces that arise when an electrical current flows through a pair of wires.

Procedure:

DEMO VIDEO DOWNLOAD

SETUP: Set stands far enough apart that the wires hang just above the bench. Also check that the battery is fully charged as the current drain is heavy. Connect the clips from the switch to the base of each stand. The current in one of the wires can be reversed by switching the clips on one of the poles. Changing the clips manually makes it clear to the student that the current in one of the wires is being reversed.

Equipment:

1 12 V Car Battery
Connecting Wires
DPDT switch
Force Between Wires Apparatus