Level 3

Cloud in a Bottle

Create a Cloud in a Bottle from a just a few simple materials! This demonstration can be used to explain the process of the water cycle and the formation of a cloud. 

Reflection and Refraction

Learn about reflection and refraction via lasers in water.

Rijke Tube

Explore resonance, waves, and acoustics with this simple rijke (reekee) tube.

Rubens' Tube

Make a flaming tube to explore the physics of waves and acoustics.

The Rubens' Tube should be used with caution and vigilance, especially if used indoors. 

 

Audio Amplifier

Build a cost-effective amplifier for your SPS chapter, or use this as a workshop template for community outreach. Empower participants by helping them create an effective, useful, and integral electronic device.

Chladni Plates - Violin Bow

Recreate E.F.F. Chladni's classic demo of sprinkling sand on a plate and playing it with a violin bow to create and visualize various vibrational patterns. This versatile demo can be adapted to talk about sound wave acoustics, vibrational normal modes, and energy transport to a wide range of audiences. 

Chladni Plates - Speaker

Build a simple Chladni plate using a 6" x 6" metal sheet, a 2 watt speaker, powered with a 20 gain amplifier and phone. Sprinkle sand on the sheet, and play various sound frequencies to reveal the sheet's assortment of resonant vibrational modes. 

Along with the plate demo itself, an amplifier can be made fairly easily with an LM386 op amp. Download instructions for making the amplifier under associated files or can be found here. 

Simple Motor

Construct a simple motor out of everyday materials in this workshop. Particpants learn first hand how to leverage the science of electricity and magnetism to create useful tools that we use every day.

Egg Crush

This demonstration dramatically shows how not just the strength of a material, but how it is designed, is important when withstanding forces.

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