PIRA Code(s): 3A10.40 Set up time:none Operation: Push the pendulum so that it swings back and forth at an angle of about 0 º. Then, slowly increase the angle, and watch the frequency decrease. For a more effective demonstration, start the pendulum at a relatively high angle, and then decrease the angle of the plane of oscillation so that the frequency of the pendulum will increase over time. Physics and Science Concepts: Oscillations Safety: None
PIRA Code(s): 3D46.16 Set up time:no setup required Operation: Place the boxes with open cavities facing, one box length apart. Strike the first tuning fork with the striker. Stop the vibrations with your hand. Listen closely for the sound coming from the second fork. Physics and Science Concepts: Waves and Oscillations Safety: None
PIRA Code(s): 5A50.10 Set up time:2 minutes Operation: Place the four (two large, two small) balls on the poles in the front about 1 inch apart. Turn the crank. Physics and Science Concepts: Electrostatics Safety: Do not touch any metal portions of the generator
PIRA Code(s): 5C30.40 Set up time:5 minutes Operation: Jars can be charged with either the Wimshurst generator (5A50.10) or Van de Graaf generator (5A50.30). Charge Leyden jars in parallel and discharge, charge in parallel again and connect in series before discharging. The intensity of the sparks as well as their duration is much greater for the series connection. Physics and Science Concepts: Electricity and Magnetism, Capacitance Safety: Do not touch the charged capacitor. Make sure the jar is discharged before storing or touching.
PIRA Code(s): 5F20.50 Set up time:5 minutes Operation: First, attach the metal rods to the battery by unscrewing the black caps and place the rods around the screws. Then replace the caps. Next, clip one light bulb on the metal rods to show a circuit with a single light bulb. To show series circuits, clip two bulbs together and place the end of each clip on opposite rods. To show parallel circuits, clip each bulb separately to the rods. The bulbs in series will glow less brightly than the bulbs in parallel. Physics and Science Concepts: Parallel and series circuits Safety: The ends of the rods pose an eye hazard.
PIRA Code(s): 5G50.50 Set up time:2 minutes Operation: A superconductor disc is placed in a styrofoam dish and liquid nitrogen is added to the dish. A small magnet is placed on top and within a few seconds it begins to levitate. Physics and Science Concepts: Superconductivity, Magnetic Materials Safety: Liquid Nitrogen can be obtained from the machine shop.
PIRA Code(s): 5H30.10 Set up time:2 minutes Operation: Plug in the cathode ray tube. Deflect the beam of the CRT by holding a permanent magnet near the edge of the tube. If the beam disappears, you are holding the magnet too close. Also, you can deflect the beam by attaching a battery to the binding posts and adjusting the variable control knob. Physics and Science Concepts: Magnetic Fields and Forces Safety: None
PIRA Code(s): 5K20.10 Set up time:5 minutes Operation: Set up the pole with the right angle clamp and pendulum. Place the permanent magnet so that the copper sheet is in between the two magnet sides. Swing the full copper sheet swing through the magnet. Watch as it damps out quickly. The, flip the pendulum so that the copper comb side is swinging through the magnet. Watch how it swings as if the magnet is not even there. Physics and Science Concepts: Electromagnetic Induction, Eddy Currents Safety: Stand to the side of the pendulum as it swings, not directly in the path.