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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Measurement
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Newton's First Law
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Statics Of Rigid Bodies
Applications Of Newton's Laws
Gravity
Work and Energy
Momentum: Egg in a Sheet; Reaction Cars; video - Ballistics on Air Track; Ballistic Pendulum; Fire Extinguisher Rocket Cart; Water Rocket; Rocket Tricycle; Methanol Rocket (Explode a Milk Jug); Match Rocket; video - 2-Liter Bottle Rocket; video - Hovercraft; video - Air Track Collisions; video - Newton's Cradle Collisions; video - Battering Ram Collisions; Gauss Gun - Elastic and Inelastic Collisions; video - Double Ball Bounce; video - Air Table Collisions
Rotational Motion
Properties of Matter

video - Hovercraft

Purpose:

Shows that a large transfer of momentum can be obtained with the ejection of a small amount of mass if that mass is moving fast enough. Also provides an example of low friction motion.

Procedure:

DEMO VIDEO DOWNLOAD w/ sound

Connect the blower on the top of the hovercraft board and run the blower. Demonstrate low friction motion. One can stand or sit on the hovercraft and it will move nearly effortlessly.

Hints:

The strong blower is loud. Cordless blower with smaller power output is available.