Physics Demonstrations in Mechanics, Part 2

35 minutes

Physics Demonstrations in Mechanics is a two-part video program which presents a full range of physical demonstrations in the area of mechanics. The program was developed in an effort to give physics teachers a collection of video demonstrations to supplement their live classroom demonstrations. The program was designed to meet the needs of high school physics classes 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 mechanics. 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 which require apparatus which is not accessible to many physics teachers. Detailed observation for many of the demonstrations is accomplished through use of the following photographic techniques: Stroboscopic photography, slow motion/stop action photography, full screen and over screen graphics, and close-ups of experimental apparatus.

Contents of Part 2:

Newton’s 1st Law: Rest Inertia of Massive Ball
Newton’s 2nd Law: Effects of a Varied Net Force on a Body’s Motion
Newton’s 3rd Law: Reaction Cart/Projected Ball Bearings
Terminal Velocity: Air Resistance Acting on a Free-Falling Body (Stroboscopic Photography)
Motion of Center of Mass: System with Internally Moving Components
Motion of Center of Mass: Projected Boomerang & Tennis Racket (Stroboscopic Photography)
Conservation of Momentum: Determination of a Bullet’s Velocity
Conservation of Momentum: Internal Explosion
Conservation of Angular Momentum: System of Rotating Spheres
Free-Fall Paradox: Falling Chimney
Centre of Percussion: Impulsive Forces Delivered to a Baseball Bat