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
Properties of Matter: Hooke's Law; Force Constant of a Spring; Spring Scale Collection; Strings and Springs; Breaking Wire (Plasticity); Bending Beams; Prince Rupert's Drops; Shear Block; Happy and unhappy balls; video - Coefficient of Restitution; Crystal Models

Bending Beams

Purpose:

To demonstrate beam stiffness as function of the beam material and geometry.

Procedure:

Set up a beam in question on the support and adjust the dial underneath it so the tip of the dial touches the beam. Re-calibrate the zero on the dial. Place a weight (1 or 2 kilo) on the beam and observe the amount of give the beam provides. Different materials with similar cross section are available. Different geometries for the same materials are available as well.