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
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Electrostatics
Electric Fields And Potential
Capacitance
Current and Resistance
Electromotive Force And Current
DC Circuits
Magnetic Materials
Magnetism
Inductance
Induction: 1x 2x 4x Coils and Bar Magnet; video - Hanging Ring and Magnet; Flash Bulb Coil; video - LED Coil; video - Eddy Current Pendulum; video - Lenz's Law and Eddy Currents; video - Eddy Current Tube; video - Jumping Ring; Eddy Current Levitation; Eddy Current Levitation 2; Eddy Currents 2; video - Transformers; Electric Motor; Hand Crank Generator; Bicycle generator
Complex Circuits
Semiconductors And Tubes
Transmission Lines and Antennas

Bicycle generator

Purpose:

To demonstrate a basic DC generator powered by a bicycle's rotating wheel.

Procedure:

Connect the generator leads to a bulb, hop on the bike and start pedaling.

Hints:

Note that pedaling the generator is much easier when there is no load connected, but more difficult when the light bulb is connected.

Pump the front tire. Takes a Presta valve head.

The generator is a DC Motor from McMillan Electric: Model S3365B2938, 2.25HP @ 260VDC, 5.0A @ 5100RPM