MECHANICS

MEASUREMENT

Basic Units

Disc 01-01

basic unit set

Show a clock with a second sweep, meter and yard sticks, and kilogram and pound mass. (PIRA # 1A10.10)

Error and Accuracy

Disc 16-12

Gaussian curve

A commercial device for the overhead projector where ball bearings roll through an array of nails into parallel chutes. (PIRA # 1A20.10)

Coordinate Systems

Vectors

Disc 01-07

3-D vector components

Metal arrows define a three dimensional coordinate system. An arbitrary vector is viewed in the three planes. (PIRA # 1A40.10)

Disc 01-04

vector components

Animation. (PIRA # 1A40.14)

Disc 01-02

vector addition (parallelogram)

Animation. (PIRA # 1A40.31)

Disc 01-03

vector addition (head to tail)

Animation. (PIRA # 1A40.33)

Disc 01-05

vector dot products

Animation. (PIRA # 1A40.70)

Disc 01-06

vector cross product

Animation shows vectors superimposed on a right hand. (PIRA # 1A40.75)

Math Topics

Disc 05-12

radian disc

A flexible strip of plastic equal to the radius is bent around the edge of a circle. (PIRA # 1A50.10)

Scalling

Disc 08-07

2:1 scaling

"Bridges" of the same geometry are scaled in every dimension by 2:1. Masses placed in the center of the bridges are also scaled 2:1. (PIRA # 1A60.30)

Disc 14-16

scaling cube

Cut a cube painted black into 27 smaller cube. When dismantled, the unpainted surfaces show the increase in surface area. (PIRA # 1A60.40)

MOTION IN ONE DIMENSION

Velocity

Disc 01-09

bulldozer on moving sheet

Identical bulldozers run at constant speed, one on a moving paper, to show how velocities add and subtract. (PIRA # 1C10.10)

Disc 01-08

constant velocity (airtrack)

Dots are superimposed on the screen every half second to mark the position of the air glider. (PIRA # 1C10.25)

Uniform Acceleration

Disc 01-14

guinea and feather

Metal and paper discs are placed in identical tubes. (PIRA # 1C20.10)

Disc 01-12

string and weights drop

Drop strings with weights. (PIRA # 1C20.20)

Disc 01-11

constant acceleration

Dots marking the position of the glider are superimposed on the screen as the glider accelerates down an inclined air track (PIRA # 1C20.30)

Disc 01-10

rolling ball on incline

Additions to the blinky track: magnetic strips can be removed from the track showing all d's, delta d's, and delta v's. Place these strips vertically to show position, velocity, and acceleration vs time. Graphs are simulations on disc but real at U of Wash. (PIRA # 1C20.41)

Measuring g

Disc 01-13

reaction time falling meter stick

Have a student catch a falling meter stick and relate the distance dropped to the reaction time. (PIRA # 1C30.55)

MOTION IN TWO DIMENSIONS

Displacement in Two Dimensions

Disc 02-07

velocity vector addition

The ball in a tube done horizontally on the table viewed from above with the camera. (PIRA # 1D10.10)

Disc 05-13

cycloid generator

Large and small cylinders are joined coaxially. A spot on the larger cylinder moves in a cycloid when the smaller cylinder is rolled on its circumference. (PIRA # 1D10.20)

Velocity, Position, and Acceler

Disc 02-09

sliding weights on triangle

Lengths and angles of a wire frame triangle are chosen so that beads sliding down the wires traverse each side in the same time. (PIRA # 1D15.41)

Motion of the Center of Mass

Disc 03-21

center of mass disc

Throw a disc with uniform distribution and then offset the center of mass. (PIRA # 1D40.11)

Disc 03-27

air table center of mass

A weighted block glides across an air table. (PIRA # 1D40.22)

Central Forces

Disc 05-17

ball on cord

A string with a rubber ball on one end passes through a plastic sleeve and weights are attached to a loop at the other end. (PIRA # 1D50.20)

Disc 05-19

plane on string

A model plane flies around on a string defining a conical pendulum. (PIRA # 1D50.26)

Disc 05-20

roundup

A toy person stands on the inside wall of a rotating cylinder. (PIRA # 1D50.30)

Disc 05-21

whirling bucket of water

Rotate a bucket of water in a vertical circle. (PIRA # 1D50.40)

Disc 05-18

coin on coat hanger

A coin is placed on the flat of the hook of an elongated coat hanger and twirled around. (PIRA # 1D50.45)

Disc 05-24

spinning chain

Spin a flexible chain rapidly enough that it acts as a solid object. (PIRA # 1D50.70)

Deformation by Central Forces

Disc 05-22

centrifuge hoops

A flexible hoop becomes oblate as it is rotated. (PIRA # 1D52.10)

Disc 13-17

parabolid of revolution

A cylindrical container with some water is rotated at a constant speed. (PIRA # 1D52.20)

Disc 13-18

rotation water troughs

Two water containers are mounted on a rotating table. A rectangular container mounted radially shows half a parabola, and another formed in an arc of constant radius stays level. (PIRA # 1D52.21)

Disc 05-23

water and mercury centrifuge

Water and mercury spin in a glass sphere. (PIRA # 1D52.35)

Disc 05-25

rotating rubber wheel

A rubber wheel stretches to a larger radius when spun. (PIRA # 1D52.61)

Centrifugal Escape

Disc 05-14

circle with gap

Roll a ball around a circular hoop with a gap. (PIRA # 1D55.10)

Disc 05-16

spinning disc with water

Red drops fly off a spinning disc leaving traces tangent to the disc. (PIRA # 1D55.23)

Disc 05-15

rotating disc with erasers

Place erasers on a disc at various radii and rotate until they fly off. (PIRA # 1D55.30)

Projectile Motion

Disc 02-03

vertical gun on car

A ball is shot up from a moving cart and falls back into the barrel. (PIRA # 1D60.10)

Disc 02-04

vertical gun on accelerated car

Two cases: vertical gun on a car on an incline, and on a car accelerated by a mass on a string. (PIRA # 1D60.16)

Disc 02-01

shooter/dropper

Drop one ball and simultaneously project another horizontally. (PIRA # 1D60.20)

Disc 02-02

monkey gun

The apparatus consists of a blow gun with dowel projectile and electromagnetic release. (PIRA # 1D60.30)

Disc 02-06

range gun

Fire a spring loaded gun at various angles. (PIRA # 1D60.40)

Disc 02-05

air table parabolas

Pucks are projected across a tilted air track. (PIRA # 1D60.55)

RELATIVE MOTION

Moving Reference Frames

Disc 02-08

bull dozer on moving sheet (2D)

The bulldozer moves across a sheet moving at half the speed of the bulldozer or at the same speed. (PIRA # 1E10.10)

Rotating Reference Frames

Disc 06-13

Foucault pendulum

Look at the plane of swing at six ten minute intervals. (PIRA # 1E20.10)

Coriolis Effect

Disc 06-14

Coriolis effect

Roll a ball across a slowly rotating turntable. (PIRA # 1E30.28)

NEWTON'S FIRST LAW

Measuring Inertia

Disc 08-24

inertia balance

Place masses on a platform supported by horizontal leaf springs. (PIRA # 1F10.11)

Disc 02-14

foam rock

Hit a real rock and then a foam rock with a heavy mallet. (PIRA # 1F10.25)

Inertia of Rest

Disc 02-13

inertia ball

A mass is suspended between two cords. Pull slowly or jerk on the lower cord. (PIRA # 1F20.10)

Disc 02-15

tablecloth pull

Pull a low friction tablecloth from under a place setting. (PIRA # 1F20.30)

Disc 02-16

eggs and pizza pan

Place a pizza pan on three beakers, place cardboard tubes on the pan directly above the beakers, and eggs on the tubes. Knock out the pizza pan. (PIRA # 1F20.35)

Disc 02-12

shifted air track inertia

Move the air track under an air track glider. (PIRA # 1F20.50)

Inertia of Motion

Disc 13-14

water hammer

Evacuate a glass tube containing water. (PIRA # 1F30.21)

Disc 02-17

pencil and plywood

Use a CO2 extinguisher to fire a pencil through a 1/2" plywood. (PIRA # 1F30.50)

NEWTON'S SECOND LAW

Force, Mass, and Acceleration

Disc 01-15

string and weight acceleration (air

Three cases of an air glider pulled by a falling weight. (PIRA # 1G10.10)

Disc 01-17

acceleration with spring (airtrack)

An air track glider is pulled by a small spring hand held at constant extension. (PIRA # 1G10.16)

Disc 01-16

Atwood's machine

The small weight is removed after a period of acceleration and the resulting constant velocity is measured. (PIRA # 1G10.40)

Accelerated Reference Frames

Disc 01-19

candle in dropped jar

Drop a closed jar containing a burning candle. (PIRA # 1G20.10)

Disc 01-18

dropped slinky

Hold a slinky so some of it extends downward, then drop it to show the contraction. (PIRA # 1G20.45)

Disc 02-11

local vertical with acceleration

Place a liquid accelerometer on an air track glider on an inclined air track (PIRA # 1G20.70)

Disc 13-16

accelerometers

Two jars of water, one has a light ball suspended from the bottom, the other has a heavy ball suspended from the top. (PIRA # 1G20.76)

Complex Systems

NEWTON'S THIRD LAW

Action and Reaction

Disc 02-18

reaction gliders

Burn a string holding a compressed spring between two air gliders. (PIRA # 1H10.15)

Disc 02-21

fan car with sail

A sail is placed in front of a battery powered fan on a cart. (PIRA # 1H10.20)

Disc 02-25

helicopter rotor

A symmetric propeller deflects air down, causing upward lift. (PIRA # 1H10.25)

Recoil

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Finding Center of Gravity

Disc 03-20

irregular object center of mass

Suspend an irregular object from several points and find the center of mass with a plumb bob. (PIRA # 1J10.12)

Disc 04-15

meter stick on fingers

Slide your fingers under a meter stick to find the center of mass. (PIRA # 1J10.20)

Exceeding Center of Gravity

Disc 03-26

toppling cylinders

The standard leaning tower and an upright cylinder that topples when the cap is removed. It has two balls in the tube. (PIRA # 1J11.11)

Disc 03-24

double cone on incline

The double cone appears to roll uphill. (PIRA # 1J11.50)

Stable, Unstab., and Neut. Equi

Disc 03-19

stability

Balance a cone, show a block is stable and a sphere is neutral. (PIRA # 1J20.11)

Disc 03-23

clown on rope

A toy clown rides a unicycle on a wire. (PIRA # 1J20.45)

Disc 03-22

chair on pedestal

Hide heavy weights in the ends of a chair's legs so it will balance on a vertical rod placed under the seat. (PIRA # 1J20.51)

Disc 04-19

broom stand

Spread the bristles and a straw broom will stand upright. (PIRA # 1J20.55)

Resolution of Forces

Disc 04-03

load on removable incline

Place a cart on a removable 30 degree incline. (PIRA # 1J30.10)

Disc 04-02

clothesline

Hang a 5 newton weight from a line and pull on one end of the line with a spring scale. (PIRA # 1J30.25)

Disc 04-08

horizontal boom

The tension in the wire is measured with a spring scale for two different boom structures. (PIRA # 1J30.40)

Disc 04-01

force board

This looks like a magnetic vertical force board. A circle is marked with angles every 10 degrees. (PIRA # 1J30.50)

Disc 02-10

sailing upwind (airtrack)

Use a skateboard cart with a foam core sail. (PIRA # 1J30.60)

Disc 04-21

egg crusher

A raw egg can be squeezed between two hard foam rubber pads with a force of over 150 lbs. (PIRA # 1J30.75)

Static Torque

Disc 04-10

torque bar

Use wrist strength to lift a weight suspended at various distances from the handle. (PIRA # 1J40.10)

Disc 04-12

torque wrench

A torque wrench is used to break aluminum and steel bolts. (PIRA # 1J40.15)

Disc 04-14

balancing meter stick

Use a meter stick, suspended at the center, as a torque balance. (PIRA # 1J40.20)

Disc 04-11

hinge board

Use a spring scale to lift a hinged board from various points along the board. (PIRA # 1J40.21)

Disc 04-13

torque wheel

Use a wheel with coaxial pulleys of 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm to show static equilibrium of combinations of weights at various radii. (PIRA # 1J40.25)

Disc 04-16

bridge and truck

A plank rests on two spring scales forming a bridge. Move a toy truck across. (PIRA # 1J40.40)

Disc 04-17

Roberval balance

Neutral equilibrium is maintained at any position on the platform. (PIRA # 1J40.50)

Disc 04-09

arm model

Use an arm model simulating both biceps and triceps muscles to throw a ball. (PIRA # 1J40.75)

APPLICATIONS OF NEWTON'S LAWS

Dynamic Torque

Disc 04-18

ladder forces

A real ladder leans against the wall. Animation shows the forces as the ladder moves. (PIRA # 1K10.20)

Disc 06-07

spool with wrapped ribbon

The sides of the spool are made of clear plexiglass (PIRA # 1K10.30)

Disc 03-25

loaded disc

A loaded disc can roll up an incline. (PIRA # 1K10.50)

Friction

Disc 03-05

surface dependence of friction

Place brass blocks on an incline with four surfaces: teflon, wood, sandpaper, and rubber. (PIRA # 1K20.10)

Disc 03-04

weight dependence of friction

Add mass to a board pulled along the table with a spring scale. (PIRA # 1K20.15)

Disc 03-03

area dependence of friction

A 2X12 is pulled along the bench top while resting on either the narrow or wide face. (PIRA # 1K20.20)

Disc 03-02

static vs. sliding friction

Show that static friction is greater than sliding friction with a spring scale and block. (PIRA # 1K20.30)

Disc 03-06

stability of rolling car

A toy car slides down an incline with either front or rear wheels locked. (PIRA # 1K20.40)

Disc 03-01

air track friction

Show there is little friction on an air track. (PIRA # 1K20.90)

Pressure

Disc 04-20

bed of nails

Break a block on the chest of a person lying on a bed of nails. (PIRA # 1K30.10)

GRAVITY

Univ. Gravitational Constant

Disc 07-23

Cavendish balance

The commercial device with video over a 1 1/2 hour period. (PIRA # 1L10.30)

Orbits

Disc 07-21

sections of a cone

The standard wood cone. (PIRA # 1L20.40)

Disc 07-22

ellipse drawing board

The two nail and string method of drawing on paper. (PIRA # 1L20.51)

WORK AND ENERGY

Work

Disc 03-07

pile driver

Drop a weight onto a nail in wood. (PIRA # 1M10.20)

Simple Machines

Disc 04-04

pulley advantage

Hang a 10 newton weight on a string passing over a pulley and measure the force with a spring scale, then hang the weight from a free running pulley. (PIRA # 1M20.11)

Disc 04-05

pulley and scales

This is a counter intuitive demonstration. A frame containing a spring scale and pulley hangs from another spring scale. Look it up. (PIRA # 1M20.15)

Disc 04-07

levers

A torque bar, spring scale, and pivot are used to illustrate the three classes of levers. (PIRA # 1M20.40)

Non-Conservative Forces

Conservation of Energy

Disc 03-14

nose basher / bb pendulum

A bowling ball pendulum is held against the nose and allowed to swing out and back. (PIRA # 1M40.10)

Disc 03-13

Galileo's pendulum

Intercept the string of a pendulum by a post at the bottom of the swing. (PIRA # 1M40.15)

Disc 06-09

loop the loop

A rolling ball must be released at 2.7 times the radius of the loop. (PIRA # 1M40.20)

Disc 03-12

energy well track

A ball can escape the energy well when released from a point above the peak of the opposite side. (PIRA # 1M40.25)

Disc 03-15

triple track energy conservation

Balls released from three tracks with identical initial angles rise to the same height independent of the angle of the second side of the "v". (PIRA # 1M40.33)

Disc 05-11

ballistic pendulum

The commercial swinging arm ballistic pendulum. (PIRA # 1M40.41)

Disc 06-08

Maxwell's yoyo

Release a large yo-yo and it will bottom out and wind up again. (PIRA # 1M40.50)

Disc 03-10

x-squared spring energy dependence

Measure the height of recoil on an air cart glider on an incline after compressing a spring different to different lengths. (PIRA # 1M40.63)

Disc 03-08

spring pong gun

A spring gun shoots standard and loaded ping pong ball to different heights. (PIRA # 1M40.64)

Disc 03-09

spring jumper

Compress a spring under a toy held down be a suction cup. (PIRA # 1M40.67)

Disc 03-11

high bounce paradox

Flip a half handball inside out and drop on the floor. It bounces back higher than the height from which it was dropped. (PIRA # 1M40.91)

Mechanical Power

Disc 03-18

Prony brake

Rotate a shaft against a constant frictional resistive force. (PIRA # 1M50.10)

LINEAR MOMENTUM AND COLLISIONS

Impulse and Thrust

Disc 05-09

egg in sheet

Throw an egg at a sheet held by two people. (PIRA # 1N10.20)

Disc 05-10

piledriver with foam rubber

A pile driver breaks a plastic sheet supported at the sides. Add a piece of foam rubber and the plastic does not break. (PIRA # 1N10.30)

Conservation of Linear Momentum

Disc 02-26

see-saw reaction carts

Two spring loaded carts repel each other on a balanced board. (PIRA # 1N20.10)

Disc 02-20

car on rolling board

Use a radio-controlled car on the board on a series of rollers. (PIRA # 1N20.15)

Disc 02-19

reaction gliders momentum conservati

Burn a string holding a compressed spring between two unequal mass air gliders. (PIRA # 1N20.20)

Mass and Momentum Transfer

Rockets

Disc 02-24

fire extinguisher wagon

Mount a fire extinguisher on a wagon with the hose attached to a half inch plumbing fitting directed to the rear. (PIRA # 1N22.10)

Disc 02-23

water rocket

Use a water rocket first with air only, and then with air and water. (PIRA # 1N22.20)

Disc 02-22

CO2 rocket

A small CO2 cartridge rotates a counterbalanced bar. (PIRA # 1N22.33)

Collisions in One Dimension

Disc 05-01

colliding balls

Two balls of equal mass collide, then balls of various mass ratios are used. Collisions with a string of equal balls are also demonstrated. (PIRA # 1N30.10)

Disc 05-03

elastic and inelastic collisions

Air gliders have springs on one end and the post/clay on the other. (PIRA # 1N30.30)

Disc 05-02

equal and unequal mass collisions

Equal and unequal mass air gliders. (PIRA # 1N30.33)

Disc 05-05

high bounce

Drop a softball on a basketball (1:3) mass ratio. (PIRA # 1N30.60)

Collisions in Two Dimensions

Disc 05-06

air table collisions (equal mass)

Vary the angle of impact between a moving and stationary air puck. Lines are drawn on the screen. (PIRA # 1N40.20)

Disc 05-07

air table collisions (unequal mass)

Elastic collisions with unequal air pucks. (PIRA # 1N40.21)

Disc 05-08

air table collisions (inelastic)

Inelastic collisions between equal and unequal mass air pucks. (PIRA # 1N40.22)

ROTATIONAL DYNAMICS

Moment of Inertia

Disc 06-04

rolling bodies on incline

Rings, discs, spheres, and weighted discs are rolled down an incline. (PIRA # 1Q10.31)

Rotational Energy

Disc 06-01

angular acceleration machine

A weight over a pulley turns a bar with adjustable weights. On screen timer and protractor helps measurements. (PIRA # 1Q20.10)

Disc 06-02

bike wheel angular acceleration

Use a spring scale to apply a constant torque to a bike wheel and measure the angular acceleration. (PIRA # 1Q20.20)

Disc 06-05

spool on incline

A spool rolls down an incline on its central radius. (PIRA # 1Q20.30)

Disc 06-06

bike wheel on incline

A bike wheel rolls down an incline on its axle. The wheel can be pinned to the axle. (PIRA # 1Q20.35)

Disc 06-11

hinged stick and ball

A ball at the end of a hinged stick falls into a cup mounted on the stick. (PIRA # 1Q20.50)

Disc 06-10

penny drop stick

A horizontal meter stick, hinged at one end, is loaded with pennies and released. (PIRA # 1Q20.55)

Transfer of Angular Momentum

Disc 07-09

satellite derotator

Heavy weights fly off a rotating disc carrying away angular momentum. (PIRA # 1Q30.25)

Conservation of Angular Momentu

Disc 07-04

rotating stool with weights

A person sits on a rotating stool and moves weights in and out. (PIRA # 1Q40.10)

Disc 07-05

rotating stool and long bar

Sit on the stool and hold a long bar with weights on the ends. Rotate the bar and you will move in the opposite sense. (PIRA # 1Q40.15)

Disc 05-26

centrifugal governor

A model of a governor. (PIRA # 1Q40.23)

Disc 07-06

rotating stool and bicycle wheel

Invert a spinning bike wheel while sitting on a rotating stool. (PIRA # 1Q40.30)

Disc 07-02

train on a circular track

A wind up train rides on a track mounted on the rim of a horizontal bicycle wheel. (PIRA # 1Q40.40)

Disc 07-08

wheel and brake

A horizontal rotating bicycle wheel is braked to a large frame and the combined assembly rotates slower. (PIRA # 1Q40.45)

Disc 07-03

tail wags dog

Use a laser to magnify the motion of a pocket watch. (PIRA # 1Q40.50)

Disc 07-01

marbles and funnel

The angular speed of marbles increases as they approach the bottom of a large funnel. (PIRA # 1Q40.70)

Disc 15-07

Hero's engine

The flask rotates on a horizontal axis. (PIRA # 1Q40.80)

Disc 06-03

air rotator with deflectors

Run an air sprinkler, then mount deflectors to reverse the jet. (PIRA # 1Q40.82)

Gyros

Disc 07-11

gyro with adjustable weights

A small gyro is at the end of a pivoting rod with an adjustable counterweight. (PIRA # 1Q50.20)

Disc 07-12

bike wheels on gimbals

A bicycle wheel on gimbals has a long axle that can be weighted. (PIRA # 1Q50.22)

Disc 07-10

bike wheel precession

A spinning bicycle wheel is supported by a rope at one end of a long axle. (PIRA # 1Q50.23)

Disc 07-13

double bike wheel

The double bike wheel gyro precesses when both wheels rotate in the same direction. Has a nonstandard mount. (PIRA # 1Q50.25)

Disc 07-14

motorized gyroscope

A motorized gyro in gimbals. (PIRA # 1Q50.30)

Disc 07-07

gyroscopic stability

Move a gyro mounted on gimbals. (PIRA # 1Q50.35)

Disc 07-18

ship stabilizer

A motorized gyro is free to turn on a vertical axis when the ship model is rocked. (PIRA # 1Q50.72)

Rotational Stability

Disc 07-17

tippy top

The tippe top flips. (PIRA # 1Q60.30)

Disc 07-16

football spin

Spin a football on its side and it will rise up on its end. (PIRA # 1Q60.35)

Disc 07-20

stable and unstable axes of rotation

Toss a rectangular board into the air. (PIRA # 1Q60.40)

Disc 07-19

spinning rod and hoop of wire

Spin a hoop and long rod with a drill. (PIRA # 1Q60.51)

Disc 07-15

static/dynamic balance

A rotating system suspended by springs shows both the difference between static and dynamic balance. (PIRA # 1Q60.80)

PROPERTIES OF MATTER

Hooke's Law

Disc 08-01

Hooke's law

Add 10, 20, and 30 newtons to a large spring. (PIRA # 1R10.10)

Disc 08-02

springs in series and parallel

Pull on a spring, springs in series, and springs in parallel with a spring scale. Compare the force required to stretch each case 60 cm. (PIRA # 1R10.30)

Tensile and Compressive Stress

Disc 08-04

elastic limits

Stretch springs of copper and brass. The copper spring remains extended. (PIRA # 1R20.11)

Disc 08-05

Young's modulus

Hang weights from a wire. Use a laser and mirror optical lever to display the deflection. (PIRA # 1R20.15)

Disc 08-06

bending beams

Hang weights at the ends of extended beams. Use beams of different lengths and cross sections. (PIRA # 1R20.20)

Disc 08-08

bologna bottle

Pound a nail with a Bologna bottle, then add a carborundum crystal to shatter the bottle. (PIRA # 1R20.60)

Shear Stress

Disc 08-03

torsion rod

Rods of various materials and diameters are twisted in a torsion lathe. (PIRA # 1R30.40)

Coefficient of Restitution

Disc 05-04

coefficient of restitution

Drop glass, steel, rubber, brass, and lead balls onto a steel plate. (PIRA # 1R40.10)

Crystal Structure

Disc 16-15

crystal models

Show lattice models of sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, graphite, and diamond. (PIRA # 1R50.20)

Disc 16-16

faults in crystal

Show natural faults in a calcite crystal, then the single layer of small spheres model. (PIRA # 1R50.40)

FLUID MECHANICS

SURFACE TENSION

Force of Surface Tension

Disc 13-21

soap film pullup

A soap film pulls a sliding wire up a "U" shaped frame. (PIRA # 2A10.10)

Disc 13-20

floating metal sheet

Float a sheet of metal on the surface of distilled water and add weights until the metal sinks. (PIRA # 2A10.21)

Disc 13-19

surface tension disc

A flat glass disc on a soft spring is lowered onto the surface of distilled water and the extension upon pulling the disc off the water is noted. (PIRA # 2A10.33)

Disc 11-13

adhesion plates

Atmospheric pressure holds two plate glass panes together. (PIRA # 2A10.37)

Disc 13-23

two soap bubbles

The smaller soap film bubble blows up the larger one. (PIRA # 2A10.50)

Minumal Surface

Disc 13-24

minimim energy thread

Dip a frame with a loop of thread in soap, then pop the film in the center of the thread. (PIRA # 2A15.10)

Disc 13-22

soap film shapes

A pyramid, cube, and triangular prism. (PIRA # 2A15.20)

Capillary Action

Disc 13-26

capillary tubes

Fill a set of capillary tubes with water. (PIRA # 2A20.10)

Disc 13-25

capillary action

Touch the end of a small glass surface with a small glass tube and the water is drawn into the tube. (PIRA # 2A20.35)

Surface Tension Propulsion

STATICS OF FLUIDS

Static Presssure

Disc 12-04

pressure independent of direction

Membrane on a tube connected to a manometer. (PIRA # 2B20.10)

Disc 12-02

Pressure vs. depth

A pressure sensor is connected to a LED bar graph. (PIRA # 2B20.15)

Disc 12-03

pressure vs. depth in water and alco

The electronic pressure sensor and LED bar graph display are used first in water, then in alcohol. (PIRA # 2B20.16)

Disc 12-08

hydrostatic paradox

A glass plate is held against the large end of a truncated cone when it is placed under water. The plate drops away when placed against the small end. (PIRA # 2B20.34)

Disc 12-01

same level tubes

A commercial device. (PIRA # 2B20.40)

Disc 12-07

hydraulic press

Break a piece of wood in a hydraulic press. The press has a pressure gauge. (PIRA # 2B20.60)

Disc 11-17

air pressure lift

Lift a person supported by two hot water bottles by blowing them with the mouth. (PIRA # 2B20.65)

Disc 12-05

water/air compression

A syringe filled with air is compressed when a large weight is placed on it, but a water filled syringe does not compress. (PIRA # 2B20.71)

Atmospheric Pressure

Disc 11-16

barrel crush

Boil water in a 55 gal drum, seal, and cool. (PIRA # 2B30.20)

Disc 11-14

crush can with pump

A one gallon can is evacuated with a vacuum pump. (PIRA # 2B30.25)

Disc 11-12

Magdeburg hemispheres

An evacuated Magdeburg hemisphere set supports a large stack of weights. (PIRA # 2B30.30)

Disc 11-19

rubber sheet lifting chair

Lift a chair by placing a thin sheet of rubber with a handle on the seat and pulling up. (PIRA # 2B30.50)

Disc 11-18

inertia shingles

Break a wood stick protruding from under a paper. (PIRA # 2B30.60)

Disc 11-15

vacuum bazooka

Put a rubber ball in a tube, seal the ends, evacuate, and puncture the end with the ball. (PIRA # 2B30.70)

Measuring Pressure

Disc 11-10

barometer in vacuum

Evacuate a bell jar containing a barometer. (PIRA # 2B35.15)

Disc 11-11

aneroid barometer

Blow and suck on a chamber containing an aneroid barometer. (PIRA # 2B35.40)

Density and Buoyancy

Disc 12-11

buoyant force

A weight suspended from a spring scale is lowered into a beaker of water suspended from a spring scale. (PIRA # 2B40.14)

Disc 12-13

board and weights float

A board sinks equal amounts as equal weights are added. (PIRA # 2B40.18)

Disc 12-12

Archimedes' principle

Suspend a pail and weight from a spring scale, lower the weight into water, collect the overflow, pour it into the pail. (PIRA # 2B40.20)

Disc 12-17

battleship in bathtub

A block of wood is floated in rectangular container. (PIRA # 2B40.25)

Disc 12-22

Cartesian diver

A buoyant bottle in a water column. (PIRA # 2B40.30)

Disc 12-20

helium balloon in glass jar

A helium balloon floats in an inverted container but sinks when the container is filled with helium. (PIRA # 2B40.43)

Disc 12-21

helium balloon in liquid nitrogen

Cool a helium balloon to decrease its volume and it will no longer float. (PIRA # 2B40.44)

Disc 12-10

weight of air

A glass sphere is weighed on a pan balance, then evacuated and weighed again. (PIRA # 2B40.45)

Disc 12-06

water and mercury u-tube

Water and mercury rise to different heights in a "J" tube. (PIRA # 2B40.53)

Disc 12-18

buoyancy in various liquids

Iron, bakelite, and wood are dropped into a column containing mercury, carbon tetrachloride, and water. (PIRA # 2B40.54)

Disc 12-19

floating square bar

A long bar floats in one orientation in alcohol and switches to another orientation when water is added. (PIRA # 2B40.56)

Disc 12-15

density ball

A metal sphere barely floats in cold water and sinks in hot water. (PIRA # 2B40.59)

Disc 12-09

hydrometer

A hydrometer is placed in water, then in alcohol. (PIRA # 2B40.60)

Disc 12-14

different density woods

Float blocks of balsa, pine, and ironwood in water. (PIRA # 2B40.61)

Siphons, Fountains, Pumps

Disc 13-10

siphon

Start with two beakers half full of water and with a connecting hose full of water. Lift one beaker, then the other. (PIRA # 2B60.20)

DYNAMICS OF FLUIDS

Flow Rate

Disc 13-15

Toricelli's tank

Water streams from holes at different heights in a vertical glass tube. (PIRA # 2C10.10)

Disc 13-12

uniform pressure drop

Water flows in a horizontal glass tube with three pressure indicating standpipes fitted with wood floats. (PIRA # 2C10.20)

Disc 13-11

syringe water velocity

Squirt water out of a syringe. The water moves faster through the constriction. (PIRA # 2C10.26)

Bernoulli Force

Disc 13-13

Bernoulli's principle

Three pressure indicating manometers with bright wood floats are located at and on either side of a constriction in a horizontal tube with water flow. (PIRA # 2C20.10)

Disc 13-01

pitot tube

A pitot tube is connected to a water manometer and the air stream velocity is varied. Graphics. (PIRA # 2C20.25)

Disc 13-04

floating ball in air jet

A styrofoam ball is suspended in an air jet from a vacuum cleaner. (PIRA # 2C20.30)

Disc 13-05

suspended plate in air jet

Air blows radially out between two plates, supporting weights hung from the bottom plate. (PIRA # 2C20.40)

Disc 13-06

suspended parallel cards

Blow an air stream between two parallel cards on bifilar suspensions. (PIRA # 2C20.45)

Disc 13-03

curve balls

Throw a styrofoam ball with a throwing tube. Animation. (PIRA # 2C20.60)

Disc 13-02

Flettner rotator

A car with a spinning styrofoam cylinder moves perpendicular to an air stream. Animation. (PIRA # 2C20.80)

Viscosity

Disc 14-06

oil viscosity

Quickly invert tubes of oil and watch the bubbles rise to the top. (PIRA # 2C30.25)

Disc 14-02

viscous drag

Steel, glass, and lead balls are dropped in a tall cylinder filled with glycerine. (PIRA # 2C30.50)

Disc 14-03

ball drop

Several balls including styrofoam balls of three diameters are dropped four meters. Use stop frame and take data. (PIRA # 2C30.55)

Disc 14-01

air friction

Drop crumpled and flat sheets of paper. (PIRA # 2C30.65)

Turbulent and Streamline Flow

Vorticies

Disc 13-07

vortex cannon

Use a large barrel to generate a smoke ring. Blow out a candle with the vortex. Animation. (PIRA # 2C50.15)

Disc 13-09

tornado tube

Couple two soft drink bottles with the commercial tornado tube coupler and spin the top bottle so the water forms a vortex as it drains into the bottom bottle. (PIRA # 2C50.30)

Non Newtonian Fluids

Disc 12-16

density balls in beans

A ping pong ball in the middle of a beaker of beans will rise when the beaker is shaken. (PIRA # 2C60.20)

Disc 15-19

slime ball

A commercial product "Slime" flows like a liquid under normal conditions but bounces on impact. (PIRA # 2C60.35)

OSCILLATIONS AND WAVES

OSCILLATIONS

Pendula

Disc 08-15

4:1 pendula

4:1 pendula have 2:1 period. (PIRA # 3A10.14)

Disc 08-14

different mass pendula

Pendula of the same length and different mass oscillate together. (PIRA # 3A10.17)

Disc 08-13

torsion pendulum

Add weight to a torsion pendulum to decrease the period. (PIRA # 3A10.30)

Disc 08-19

variable angle pendulum

A physical pendulum is mounted on a bearing so the angle of the plane of oscillation can be changed. (PIRA # 3A10.40)

Physical Pendula

Disc 08-18

physical pendulum

Compare the period of a bar supported at the end with a simple pendulum of 2/3 length. (PIRA # 3A15.20)

Disc 08-16

hoops and arcs

A hoop oscillates with the same period as arcs corresponding to parts of the hoop. (PIRA # 3A15.40)

Disc 06-12

center of percussion

Hang a long metal bar by a string from one end. Strike the bar with a mallet at various points. (PIRA # 3A15.50)

Springs & Oscillators

Disc 08-11

mass on spring

Double the mass on the same spring. Try identical springs in parallel. (PIRA # 3A20.10)

Disc 08-12

air track simple harmonic motion

Place an air track glider between two springs. A video overlay overlay shows the sinusoidal path. (PIRA # 3A20.35)

Simple Harmonic Motion

Disc 08-20

circular motion vs. spring and weigh

Front on view of a marker on a disc and a mass on a spring. (PIRA # 3A40.10)

Disc 08-21

circular motion vs. pendulum

Front view of a marker on a disc and a pendulum. (PIRA # 3A40.20)

Disc 08-10

tuning fork with light

Attach a small light to a large slow fork and pan it by a video camera. A sine wave is visible by camera retention. (PIRA # 3A40.41)

Disc 08-22

phase shift

Shadow project two balls mounted on the edge of a disc. Vary the angle between the balls to vary the phase shift. (PIRA # 3A40.65)

Damped Oscillators

Driven Mechanical Resonance

Disc 09-02

resonant driven pendula

A massive pendulum drives three different length bifilar pendula. (PIRA # 3A60.31)

Disc 09-01

bowling ball pendulum resonance

Strike a bowling ball pendulum with random blows, then with blows at the normal frequency. (PIRA # 3A60.35)

Disc 09-03

driven spring weight

Drive a mass hanging from a spring. (PIRA # 3A60.43)

Disc 09-05

reed tachometer

A set of reeds is attached to a small unbalanced gyro. (PIRA # 3A60.50)

Coupled Oscillations

Disc 09-08

Wilberforce pendulum

Energy transfers between vertical and torsional modes. (PIRA # 3A70.10)

Disc 09-07

coupled pendula

Two physical pendula are coupled by a spring. (PIRA # 3A70.27)

Normal Modes

Lissajous Figures

Disc 08-26

Lissajous figures - scope

Use two independent generators to show Lissajous figures on a scope. (PIRA # 3A80.20)

Non-Linear Systems

Disc 08-17

pendulum with large amplitude

Vary the from 5 to 80 degrees. (PIRA # 3A95.33)

Disc 08-23

periodic non-simple harmonic motion

A large pendulum drives a restricted vertical pendulum. (PIRA # 3A95.38)

Disc 09-04

pump pendulum

Periodically pull on the string of a pendulum. (PIRA # 3A95.70)

WAVE MOTION

Transverse Pulses and Waves

Disc 09-09

wave on a rope

A long rope is attached to a wall. (PIRA # 3B10.10)

Disc 09-11

tension dependence of wave speed

Hold a rubber tube under different tensions and send a pulse along it. (PIRA # 3B10.15)

Disc 09-13

wave speed

Show the difference in wave speed and pulse shape on Shive machines with long and short rods. (PIRA # 3B10.16)

Disc 09-10

pulse on moving chain

A motor drives a large loop of chain suspended between horizontal pulleys. (PIRA # 3B10.25)

Disc 09-12

torsional waves

Show a torsional wave on a Shive wave machine. (PIRA # 3B10.30)

Disc 08-25

pendulum waves

The apparatus from AJP 59(2),186. (PIRA # 3B10.75)

Longitudinal Pulses and Waves

Disc 09-15

longitudinal slinky waves

Show longitudinal waves on a bifilar suspended slinky with paper flags every fifth coil. (PIRA # 3B20.10)

Disc 09-14

longitudinal wave model

The Pasco device. (PIRA # 3B20.30)

Standing Waves

Disc 09-27

three tensions standing waves

Three strings driven by the same driver have weights of 0.9:2:8 to produce the first, second, and third harmonics. (PIRA # 3B22.10)

Disc 09-28

rubber tube standing waves

A long rubber tube driven by a variable speed motor. (PIRA # 3B22.15)

Disc 09-26

standing waves

Drive the Shive wave machine by hand to produce standing waves. (PIRA # 3B22.30)

Disc 09-25

slinky standing waves

Drive a hanging slinky by hand to produce standing waves. (PIRA # 3B22.50)

Disc 09-24

longitudinal standing waves

Excite the Pasco longitudinal waves machine to get standing waves. (PIRA # 3B22.60)

Impedence and Dispersion

Disc 09-19

wave coupling

Shive wave machines with long and short rods are coupled abruptly or with a tapered section. (PIRA # 3B25.10)

Disc 09-17

reflection of waves

A pulse sent down a Shive wave machine reflects from either a fixed or free end. (PIRA # 3B25.20)

Disc 09-18

spring wave reflection

Reflections from a long horizontal brass spring with fixed and free ends. (PIRA # 3B25.25)

Disc 10-17

acoustic coupling

Sound a 2" loudspeaker alone and with an exponential horn. (PIRA # 3B25.35)

Compound Waves

Disc 09-16

wave superposition

Start positive pulses from each end of a Shive wave machine. (PIRA # 3B27.15)

Wave Properties of Sound

Disc 10-09

siren in vacuum

Place an electronic siren with a LED in series in a bell jar. (PIRA # 3B30.30)

Disc 10-14

sound in helium

Blow an organ pipe with air and helium, then talk with helium. (PIRA # 3B30.50)

Disc 10-13

sound velocity of different temperat

Blow two identical organ pipes from the same source, then heat the air going to one of the pipes with a Bunsen burner. (PIRA # 3B30.55)

Phase and Group Velocity

Reflection & Refraction (Sound)

Disc 09-20

refraction of water waves

Plane waves refract in a tank with deep and shallow sections. (PIRA # 3B35.60)

Transfer of Energy in Waves

Doppler Effect

Disc 10-21

doppler effect

Mount two speakers on a rotating frame and attach to an audio oscillator through slip rings. (PIRA # 3B40.10)

Shock Waves

Interference and Diffraction

Disc 09-21

single slit diffraction of water wav

Ripple tank single slit diffraction with varying slit and wavelength. (PIRA # 3B50.10)

Disc 09-22

double slit interference of water wa

Ripple tank double slit interference with varying wavelength and slit separation. (PIRA # 3B50.25)

Disc 09-23

Moire pattern

Two transparencies of equally spaced circles on the overhead. (PIRA # 3B50.40)

Inter. and Diff. of Sound

Disc 10-20

two speaker interference

Speakers in phase are mounted at the ends of a rotatable bar. (PIRA # 3B55.10)

Beats

Disc 10-18

tuning fork beats

Two tuning forks are on resonant boxes. Adjust the frequency of one to be slightly different. (PIRA # 3B60.10)

Disc 10-19

beats with speaker and oscilloscope

Two function generators are used to make beats that are displayed on a scope and amplified to a speaker. (PIRA # 3B60.20)

Coupled Resonators

ACOUSTICS

The Ear

Pitch

Disc 10-10

siren disc

A disc with concentric ring of equally spaced holes is spun by a motor and a jet of air is blown at each circle of holes. (PIRA # 3C20.30)

Disc 10-11

gear and card

Hold a card against gears on a common shaft with teeth in ratio of 4:5:6:8. (PIRA # 3C20.40)

Intensity and Attenuation

Architectural Acoustics

Wave Analysis and Synthesis

Disc 10-15

Fourier synthesizer

Use the Pasco Fourier synthesizer to demonstrate building square and triangle waves. (PIRA # 3C50.10)

Music Perception and the Voice

Disc 11-08

tuning forks on resonant boxes

Two tuning forks, two boxes. Show the box needs to be matched to the fork. (PIRA # 3C55.55)

Disc 10-16

vocal formants

Use an computer based real time spectrum analyzer to display vocal formants. (PIRA # 3C55.80)

INSTRUMENTS

Resonance in Strings

Disc 10-02

sonometer

An electromagnetic pickup is used to display the waveform of the sonometer string on an oscilloscope. (PIRA # 3D20.20)

Disc 10-01

guitar and scope

Show the output of an electric guitar on an oscilloscope. (PIRA # 3D20.21)

Stringed Instruments

Resonance Cavities

Disc 11-01

resonance tube with piston

Mount a microphone on a piston that slides in a glass tube and close the other end of the tube with a speaker. (PIRA # 3D30.15)

Disc 11-04

resonance tube 256/512

A tube is cut to length to resonate at 256 Hz when closed and 512 Hz when open. (PIRA # 3D30.20)

Disc 11-09

Helmholtz resonators

Two resonators are matched to two tuning forks. (PIRA # 3D30.40)

Disc 11-03

Kundt's tube

Stroke a rod to excite cork dust in a tube. (PIRA # 3D30.60)

Disc 11-07

singing pipes

Two metal tubes and a glass one. (PIRA # 3D30.70)

Air Column Instruments

Disc 11-02

resonance tubes (three lengths)

Blow air out of a flat nozzle across a set of three different length tubes. (PIRA # 3D32.10)

Disc 11-06

slide whistle

The variable length organ pipe. (PIRA # 3D32.15)

Disc 11-05

open and closed end pipes

Three organ pipes, open and closed. (PIRA # 3D32.25)

Resonance in Plates, Bars, Soli

Disc 10-07

xylophone bars

Use a microphone and oscilloscope to display the waveforms of various notes on a xylophone. (PIRA # 3D40.10)

Disc 10-05

rectangular bar oscillations

Strike a three foot rectangular bar on different faces and on the end. Listen to the different frequencies. (PIRA # 3D40.11)

Disc 10-06

high frequency metal bars

Hold a metal rod at the midpoint and strike at the end. Two rods an octave apart are shown. (PIRA # 3D40.12)

Disc 10-08

singing rods

Hold a long aluminum rod at the midpoint and stroke with rosined fingers. (PIRA # 3D40.20)

Disc 09-30