Share & Tell:
Ann Hanks, PASCO & ARC retired: PASCO had to remove all lead from their products and in their production plants. Some lead spheres have to be replaced with tungsten spheres which are more expensive and smaller do to a higher density. Adaptors are available to use the new spheres; the Gravitational Balance that uses it is still the same price.
Jon Hanks, PASCO & ARC retired: Demoed PASCO new Fire Syringe that has had modifications to improve use.
Bill Simpson, ARC: Bill explained a new launch pad for bottle rockets that he saw on an episode of This Old House that are air pressurized with extra tall launch page for safety. There will be two raffled off this afternoon and it will be demonstrated at lunch. Step-by-step instructions and video by Slater Harrison are available here.
Alex Wurden, Western Sierra High School: Alex demonstrated the Singing Rod which creates a standing longitudinal wave in a long metal rod with resin available in music stores. Holding the rod in the center (at a node), you can stroke one end to create sound. The rod can also be turned to create a Doppler Effect.
Bill Papke, ARC retired: Shared a twist of fate that when he bought “Galileo’s Dream” by Kim Stanley Robinson on July 10th, 2009 and Galileo first looked through a telescope in July of 1609. A copy of the book has been donated to the raffle. Bill also shared a video of the “tablecloth trick” on the XXXL scale by using a a twenty foot table and a motorcycle. There is definite debate on the videos authenticity.
David Kagan, Cal State University, Chico: Demonstrated a projectile rod that models the decay of an objects height with gravity by dropping.
Bernard Cleyet, retired: Demonstrated an experiment with microwaves and filters to block radiation. A sensor was used to project the level as a sound wave to demonstrate the levels of intensity.
Alex Wurden, Western Sierra: Demonstrated several Physical Science Mnuemonics that can help students remember complicated formulas. Such as “Funny Emergency! Matador Tusk Attack!” for “F =m x a.” Funny pictures are often paired with the equations. Alex can be emailed at: alex.wurden@gmail.com.
Blaine Wells, ARC: Tennis ball launcher with Co2 cartridge power supply. Alternate barrels can shoot foam golf balls. Pressure vessel to barrel volume ratios are used for calculations; 3:1 will be a slow launch but 5:1 will guarantee a launch. Search “Co2 paintball cannon” for plans online from a variety of sources. PVC is not recommended; It is dangerous! Use black pipe instead for safety. A launcher will be in the raffle pile as well.
Chuck Hunt, ARC: Demonstrated a Ruben’s tube which is a large tube with small holes equally spaced along the length. One end has an input for flammable gas that fills the pipe; the other has a diaphragm on it that is put against a large speaker. As sound is pumped into the speaker the diaphragm is moved and creates a pressure wave inside the pipe. The tube’s flame will oscillate in a standing wave if a pure tone is played threw the speaker. As the tone is changed, a different number of wavelengths appears in the pipe. Music with pure tones in the right range work best. Six have been donated to the raffle. Holes should be 1/16” or smaller and a half inch to inch apart. Various videos and instructions exist online.
Don Rathjen, Exploratorium: Don demonstrated several resonators from the Exploratorium Snackbook. In one resonator, several balls of assorted sizes and on various lengths of dowels are all attached to a wood base. By shaking the base you can see that different frequencies of shaking make different balls move. This relates to seismology and engineering as such things have to be taken into account while planning. Quarter inch dowels are used and ideally balls of all the same mass and size (Don used Superballs). He also quickly demonstrated coupled oscillators.
Dean Baird, Rio Americano: Discussed using “Conceptual Physics Alive!” video series in his classes with questions to be answered while watching. The accompanying questions will be sold by Arbor Scientific but he has some samples available. The newest edition (11th) of the lab manual to accompany the Conceptual Physics textbook is also available as a sample for those that are interested. The lab manual should be available in the Fall of 2010. As a highlight, he shared some online resources such as Danny MacAskill who does stunt bicycle videos all over England, PhET Simulations from the University of Colorado and his blog and website Book of Phyz.
Bree Barnett Dreyfuss, Amador Valley High School: Bree shared examples of a recent Electric House Project for physics. Students had to create a small house with two rooms, often made from a shoebox. One room was to have three lights in series (dim) and the other two lights in parallel (bright). Examples were passed around as well as an example of the project description. “Best of” pictures are available on her website as well as a video explaining how to build the switch.
Frank Cascarano, Foothill College: Many of us demonstrate pressure and force using a bed of nails but the demonstration is also large and can be cumbersome. Fran shared a miniature version of the classic demonstration that helps with repeatability. A plan was passed around that allows for a balloon to be tested against two nails and then against ten nails with addable weights. You can mail Frank Cascarano for more information.
Leanna Felardo, Oroville High School: Shared the Physics literacy report letter to the teacher that requires students to read a book about Physics and write a one page letter about the book. It is virtually plagiarism-proof and requires students to actually read the book in order to complete it. Leanna also passed around an AP Physics Lab Notebook. Email Leanna for more information.
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