Physics Demonstrations in Heat, Part 1

30 minutes

Physics Demonstrations in Heat is a three-part video program which presents a full range of demonstrations in thermal properties of matter, mechanisms of heat transfer, and thermodynamics. The program was developed in an effort to give physics teachers a comprehensive collection of video demonstrations, supplementing the instructor’s live classroom demonstrations. Instructors will find the program suitable for high school as well as introductory level college physics classes.

Program Format

Individual demonstrations are 3 to 4 minutes in length and can be quickly accessed using the program's on-screen indexing system. The indexing system allows the teacher to select a particular demonstration and show it at the appropriate time during a unit on thermal energy. The accompanying teacher’s guide gives additional data, information, and suggestions on using the demonstrations to promote further classroom discussion.

Demonstration Selection and Filming Techniques

The selection of demonstrations includes those which are difficult to perform in the classroom and those requiring apparatus not readily accessible to many physics teachers. Detailed observation of the demonstrations is accomplished through use of a filming approach which focuses solely on the apparatus, allowing the teacher to utilize the program in a way which is consistent with his or her personal instructional approach. The voice over narration eliminates the on-screen presenter and allows attention to be directed to the physical behavior being studied.

Contents of Part 1:

Thermal Expansion: Changing Volume of a Liquid
Phase Change Expansion:, Exploding Ice Bomb
Thermal Expansion: Forces Exerted During Expansion and Contraction
Linear Expansion: Determination of Expansion Coefficient
Phase Changes: Transition from Gaseous to Liquid O₂
Cryogenics: Changes in Material Properties
Cryogenics: Organic Materials
Specific Heat: Determination of C_p