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
Momentum
Rotational Motion: Rotational Inertia Rods; video - Rolling Objects and Moments of Inertia; video - Moment of Inertia Wheel; video - The Falling Rigid Body; video - Vector Nature of Angular Momentum; Hero's engine; video - Precession of Bicycle Wheel Under Gravity Force; Suitcase Gyro; Air Gyro; Gyrocompass; Gyroscopes; Euler's Disk; Tippe Top
Properties of Matter

Hero's engine

Purpose:

To demonstrate conservation of angular momentum of an isolated system.

Procedure:

Fill the Hero's Engine flask with water well below the level of the two reaction jets. Seal the top with a cork stopper (make sure it is tight, so it will not "pop" off like a rocket). Heat the water using a Bunsen burner.

Hints:

First described by Hero of Alexandria (10-70 AD) as a steam-powered device called an aeolipile known today as a "Hero engine". It is considered to be the first recorded steam engine.