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
New or Modified Entries (within the last month)

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Measurement
Motion In One Dimension
Motion In Two Dimensions
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: Potential Energy; Simple Machines; video - Inclined Plane; Human Lever Arm; video - Conservative System; video - Pendulum with Moveable Peg; video - Loop - the - Loop; Ball in Curved Tracks; Maxwell's Wheel (Yo-Yo); Work Done by a Compressed Spring; video - Work Done on a Cart; Energy Conversion and Conservation
Momentum
Rotational Motion
Properties of Matter

Maxwell's Wheel (Yo-Yo)

Purpose:

To illustrate conservation of energy between gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy in a giant bicycle wheel yo-yo system.

Procedure:

The bicycle wheel has a fixed axle upon which one can wind a length of rope (see image). The rope is attached to the ceiling, the wheel is rotated by hand to wind it up to the ceiling, and then it can be let go to watch it roll down, then back up and down many times, like a Yo-Yo.