PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

1A10.10

Basic Unit Set

Show a clock with a second sweep, meter and yard sticks, and kilogram and pound mass.

1A10.20

Standard Masses

Show students a 1 lb mass and a 1 kg mass.

1A10.21

Standard Mass Set

Show a sets of calibrated weights.

1A10.30

Standard Meter

Put out a Standard Meter.

1A10.31

Precision Gauge Blocks, Hoke

Show a sets of calibrated Hoke measuring blocks that are precision gauged for measuring thickness.

1A10.36

1 "nsec"

Cut a length of meter stick to equal the distance light travels in one nsec. (0.29 m)

1A10.40

Clocks

Set out a timer with a one second sweep, an hour glass, a metronome, etc.

1A10.45a

WWV Signal, Phone

Put out a phone and call WWV  to listen to the signal.

1A10.45b

WWV Signal, Web

Punch-up http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/stations/wwv.html

1A10.48

Orrery

Get the Orrery from Astronomy to show sidereal time.

1A10.49

Sidereal Time

Two clocks on permanent display show Greenwich and Sidereal time.

1A10.50

One Liter Cube

Put out a one liter wood cube that has cm square rules on one face.

1A10.55

Mass, Volume, and Density

Compare wood and aluminum cubes, each with 10 cm sides, (equal volume). Compare a 10 cm aluminum cube with a 10 cm sq x 4 cm lead block (equal mass). Compare a is cm aluminum cube with a 10 cm sq x 4 cm aluminum block (equal density).

1A10.60a

Avogadro's Number Box

A cube with sides of 28.2 cm has a volume of 22.4 l at STP.

1A10.60b

Avogadro's Number Box

A 22.4 liter box to represent the volume of one mole at STP.

1A10.65

Mole Samples

Show mole samples of carbon, iron, copper, zinc, etc.

1A10.70

Density Samples

One kg samples of lead, aluminum, water, wood each have 5 cm square bases. A one meter frame shows the size of approximately 1 kg of air.

PIRA #

Demonstration Name

Abstract

1A20.10

Gaussian Collision Board

Balls roll down a nail board into parallel chutes forming a probability curve similar to the distribution of molecular velocities.

1A20.10a

Gaussian curve: Probability Board

1000's of  small ball bearings are funneled down through an array of posts to form the Gaussian Curve. (Must be retrieved from the Physics Exporitorium.)

1A20.20

Coin Flip

Flip coin to show 50/50 probability

1A20.25

2 6-Sided Dice

Use them to show that the probability is over 7

1A20.31

Contact Time Measurement

Measure contact time of two hammers being struck together. A pulse generator is gated to a pulse counter while the hammers are in contact. Frequency of the pulse generator can be changed to vary accuracy.

1A20.40

Calipers

Put out and Demonstration the use of a micrometer, spherometer, and vernier calipers.

1A20.41a

Calipers, Vernier

Put out and Demonstration the use of a vernier caliper. Use commercial large scale verniers to show how they work.

1A20.41b

Calipers, Vernier (Model)

Put out and Demonstration the use of caliper by using a large scale wooden vernier caliper to show how calipers work.

1A20.41c

Calipers, Spherometer

Put out and Demonstration the use of a spherometer calipers.

1A20.41d

Calipers, Micrometer

Put out and Demonstration the use of a micrometer calipers.

1A20.51

Lead Ping Pong Ball and Foam Chunk

Students judge weight of a white lead filled ping pong ball and a chunk of black foam.

1A20.60a

Reaction Time

Cover 3/4 or more of a stop clock face. Push the stop button when the hand shows. Measure the time.

1A20.60b

Reaction Time, Two button

Start by pushing and holding the start button. Move you hand over and hit the stop button as fast as you can once the counter starts to count up. Counter is in milliseconds and has a random start-up. 

1A20.60c

Reaction Time

Use a dollar or a meter stick. Place the center of  the item between someone's fingers, without touching. Have them try to pinch the item when release it.