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Demonstrations

Identifier Title Summary
Astro - 001 Eclipse

A ball on a string and a slide projector are used to create the image of an eclipse.

projection screen with eclipse image
Astro - 002 Celestial Sphere

A physical model of the celestial sphere.

Celestial Sphere with Lesson Plan Book
Astro - 003 Ellipses

Magnetic pegs and a loop of string are used to draw an ellipse on a magnetic chalk board.

two magnets in a circle drawn on the chalkboard
Astro - 004 Hydrostatic Equilibrium

A series of magnetic disks on a vertical rod are used to demonstrate pressure at various distances

A series of magnetic disks on a vertical rod
Astro - 005 Comparison of Materials of Different Density

The density of different materials is calculated and compared.

2 Rocks of similar size, a metal ball, graduated cylinder, beaker, tray, and balance
Astro - 006 Light Intensity Relative to Spectrum

A 150 W light bulb in a desk lamp is connected to a power stat.  Students view the light through diffraction gratings to see that the spectrum doesn't change as the light intensity changes.

A lamp with no shade is connected to a power stat next to a box of diffraction gratings
Astro - 007 Telescope

A working telescope

a telescope
E&M: AC - 001 Lamp Brightness in LRC

A lightbulb in an RLC circuit is will show when circuit reaches resonance with frequency generator.

Function Generator, Digital Oscilloscope, Variable Capacitor, Variable Inductor, Small Light Bulb
E&M: AC - 003 Phasors

The apparatus from K: M - 6 is used to show phasors

Wooden Arrow Apparatus
E&M: AC - 005 Tesla Coil

A Tesla Coil is used to light a fluorescent bulb.

Tesla Coil
E&M: AC - 006 High Frequency EM Waves Electromagnetic Standing Waves
E&M: AC - 007 AC Lights Bulb, DC Does Not
E&M: AC - 008 Music and Coils
E&M: AC - 009 Marshmallows in the Microwave

A standing wave pattern is visible on an array of marshmallows placed in a microwave

A pattern of marshmallows created by the standing wave in a microwave
E&M: AC - 010 Voltage of a Household Outlet

Production of a the sinewave created by the current from a household outlet.

Household Outlet apparatus
E&M: AC - 011 High-Pass and Low-Pass Filters

A demonstration of the effects of both/either a high pass filter and a low pass filter on an signal.

A function generator sends a signal to both inputs of the oscilloscope - 1 input is connected to a filter, the other is not.
E&M: AC - 012 DC Motor as an AC Generator

A hand-crank generator is  turned to produce current.

A hand-crank motor is connected to a multimeter
E&M: C - 001 Copper and Chromel Wire Segments

A strand of wire composed of differing materials (Cu and NiCr) demonstrates how the amount of heat produced differs with resistance.

Apparatus consisting of a strand of different segments of wire
E&M: C - 002 Electric Lamps in Series and in Parallel

Two light bulbs of differing wattage are connected in series and in parallel with the AC outlet.

Two lightbulbs, a switch, and 4 wires rest on a table top
E&M: C - 003 Model Transmission Line
E&M: C - 005 Lamp with Heat

The wires providing power to a light bulb are heated.  As a result, the light bulb gets dimmer.

Light bulb with wires on ring stand, bunsen burner, striker
E&M: C - 007 Homemade Battery to Light Lightbulb
E&M: C - 008 Electrocute a Pickle

A pickle is electrocuted using current from a standard wall outlet.

A pickle is connected to an AC switch
E&M: C - 009 Voltaic EMF of an Electrolyte
E&M: C - 012 Discharge of Electricity Through Gases
E&M: C - 013 Current Produced by Moving Charges
E&M: C - 014 Electric Field of a Plasma Ball

A discharge tube brought near a plasma ball will light up.

Small plasma ball, Discharge tube
E&M: C - 015 Ideal and Real Batteries

Lamps are added in parallel to current supplied by both a battery and a power supply; a noticeable difference in brightness is evident due to the internal resistance of the battery.

Power Supply, 3 bulbs in parallel, a 9V battery, a multimeter
E&M: C - 016 Photoelectric Effect

A flashlight shone onto a photoelectric tube creates an audible sound; a UV LED produces a current spike in an analog ammeter

Audio photoelectric apparatus + Flashlight
E&M: C - 017 Copper Wires of Different Cross-Sectional Areas

The voltage drop across two sections of wire having different cross-sectional areas is measured.

A red wire and a black wire in series
E&M: C - 018 Alternating Current RC Series Circuit

A frequency generator is used to produce a square wave that shows the charge and discharge curves of an RC series circuit

Oscilloscope output of a capacitor and the power source
E&M: C - 019 Direct Current RC Series Circuit

The charge and discharge curves of a DC RC Series circuit are shown in conjunction with its effect on a light bulb.

DC Voltage vs. Time curve for RC circuit
E&M: C - 020 Decrease of Resistance with Decrease in Temperature

A light bulb is turned on and its wiring is submerged in liquid nitrogen.

A dewar of liquid nitrogen rests next to the light bulb apparatus.
E&M: C - 021 Piezoelectric Crystal
E&M: C - 022 Mechanical Model of Resistance

Ping pong balls travel down a board of nails to demonstrate resistance.

A board of nails, a hose, and a box of ping pong balls
E&M: C - 023 3 Batteries and 2 Bulbs

Two 9V batteries are connected in series with 2 bulbs.  A 3rd battery is added in parallel with one of the bulbs.

2 9V Batteries are in series with 2 bulbs.  A 3rd battery is in parallel with 1 bulb
E&M: C - 024 Mixed Circuit

1 90-W bulb and 3 25-W bulbs are connected in both series and parallel

3 25-watt bulbs, 1 90-watt bulb, and an AC switch
E&M: C - 025 Identical Bulbs in Series

3 Bulbs are connected in series to a power source

3 25-W bulbs are connected in series to an AC switch
E&M: C - 026 Identical Bulbs in Parallel

3 identical bulbs are connected to a power source in parallel.

3 25W bulbs connected in parallel to an AC switch
E&M: C - 027 Wheatstone Bridge

A Wheatstone Bridge is used to demonstrate how an unknown resistance could be found.

Wheatstone Bridge Circuit
E&M: ES - 001 Charging Objects Electrically

An assortment of objects are used to demonstrate electrostatic charge and its effects.

Electroscope, Fur, Acrylic Rod
E&M: ES - 003 Spherical Conductors
E&M: ES - 004 Electrophorus

A device is used to produce a cyclical spark from electrostatic charge.

Electrophorus with fur resting on the demonstration bench
E&M: ES - 005 Franklin Bells
E&M: ES - 006 Large Electrostatic Device
E&M: ES - 008 More Personal Van de Graaff Experience

A person's hair stands on end if in contact with Van de Graaff generator

Van de Graaff with plastic stool and non-human hair substitute
E&M: ES - 009 Faraday Cage with Electroscope

A charged rod brought near an electroscope produces no result if the the electroscope is contained within a cage of conducting mesh.

An electroscope is inside a Faraday cage.  Next to it, a piece of fur and rod are resting.
E&M: ES - 010 Leyden Jar
E&M: ES - 011 Variable Capacitor

The effect of plate gap and dielectric presence on capacitance can be easily seen.

Variable capacitor, LCR meter, dielectric sheets
E&M: ES - 012 Exhibit of Capacitors

A visual display of capacitors of varying styles are available to show the students in the class.  

7 capacitors of varying styles