4A - Thermal Properties of Matter
30. Solid Expansion
4A30.1 Linear Expansion of Metal
The end of a long metal bar is attached to a sensitive positional scale. Heating the bar with a bunsen burner causes the bar to expand, and the pointer on the scale rises quickly.
[Set-Up Time: 5 min.]
[Current Condition: Good]
4A30.2 Expansion of Ball and Ring
A metal ball passes easily through a metal ring; heat the ball with a bunsen burner, and it will no longer fit through.
[Set-Up Time: 5 min.]
[Current Condition: Good]
4A30.3 Bimetallic Strip
A flat strip made of two different metals will curl when heated due to the different coefficients of expansion.
[Set-Up Time: 5 min.]
[Current Condition: Good]
40. Material Properties at Low Temperature
4A40.1 Liquid Nitrogen
Shrink and shatter air-filled balloons; freeze and break racquet balls or rubber bands; also shatter a rose.
[Set-Up Time: 10 min.; Must request one day in advance and supply rose, if desired]
[Current Condition: Good]
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4B - Heat and the First Law
20. Convection
4B20.1 Convection Currents
A rectangular glass tube is heated on one side while a few drops of food coloring are added at the top, showing convection around the tube.
[Set-Up Time: 10 min.]
[Current Condition: OK]
30. Conduction
4B30.1 Different Conductivity in Iron and Copper
An iron and a copper rod are heated simultaneously. Blocks fixed to each of the rods by wax will fall off at different rates.
[Set-Up Time: 30 min. This demonstration does not work very well and is tricky to set up.]
[Current Condition: OK]
40. Radiation
4B40.1 Radiation of Heat
A candle is placed at the focus of a large, parabolic mirror. A radiometer placed at the focus of a second mirror will spin when the candle is lit.
[Set-Up Time: 20 min.]
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4C - Change of State
30. Phase Changes: Liquid-Gas
4C30.1 Boiling by Cooling
Water in a round-bottomed flask is heated until boiling; the flask is removed from the heat, stoppered, inverted, and cold water is poured over it, lowering the pressure inside and causing the water to boil again.
[Set-Up Time: 15 min.]
[Current Condition: Good]
4C30.2 Boiling at Reduced Pressure
Water will begin to boil as the air in the container is evacuated.
[Set-Up Time: 20 min.]
[Current Condition: Good]
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4D - Kinetic Theory
30. Kinetic Motion
4D30.1 Kinetic Theory of Gases
A large quantity of tiny spheres are shaken in the bottom of container by a variable speed motor. As the kinetic energy of the balls is increased, they exert a greater pressure on the lid and push it upwards.
[Set-Up Time: 15 min.]
[Current Condition: Good]
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4E - Gas Law
10. Constant Pressure
4E10.1 Cooling a Balloon
Pour liquid nitrogen over an air-filled balloon.
[Set-Up Time: 5 min.; Must request one day in advance]
[Current Condition: Good]
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4F - Entropy and the Second Law
10. Entropy
4F10.10 Unmixing
Glycerine between two concentric cylinders is injected with a pattern of dye. When the inner cylinder is rotated, the pattern disappears, but when the turning is reversed the pattern re-appears! A very dramatic demonstration of the role of time and randomization in entropy. Also good for discussion of coutte flow/reynolds number.
[Setup time: 30 min.]
[Current Condition: Somewhat broken- needs advanced notice for attempted run]
alternatively, you can load a youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhsmOc7Hb8Q#t=3m37s
4F30.10 Stirling Engine
A Stirling Engine operates on top of a cup of hot water.
[Setup time: 5 min.]
[Current Condition: OK]
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