Ripple Tank: Single and Double Slit Diffraction and Interference (C31) [3B50.20] TSG Physics 2012-06-04 | A ripple tank is placed above a mirror and a projection screen. A horizontal bar, whose frequency can be varied, taps the surface of the water and produces plane waves. The waves are incident on a barrier containing an adjustable opening.With a narrow single slit opening we see a plane wave emerge as a spherical wave on the other side of the barrier. This can be explained by the Huygens-Fresnel principle which states that each point in the slit forms its own spherical wavefront source. With a wider slit, more point sources arise, causing interference patterns due to the larger angles involved with a broader spatial distribution of these sources.
Building A Vacuum Tube (ESI Solder Glass Vacuum Technique Series) TSG Physics 2023-01-30 | This set of 7 silent film loops featuring MIT Technical Instructor Jan Orsula was produced circa 1967 as part of the College Physics Film Program by Educational Services, Inc. (ESI), later Education Development Center (EDC), which grew out of the project known as the Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC). Some of the content was developed by the Science Teaching Center (STC), later Education Research Center (ERC), at MIT.The individual film loops are names:Preparing the Getter HeaderPreparing and Baking a Solder Glass SealMaking the Anode StructurePreparing the Diode HeaderSealing-off the Small Header TubeTesting for Leaks and Outgassing in the ElementsFiring the GettersSide of case: ESI # 208 16mm Red. Prt. R-1,2,3 EB. 8943; 9/32; 9/09 23min. 27 sec. 827 ft + 10 frames Sil. Prt.Front of case:ESI 208 "BUILDING A VACUUM TUBE" Running Time: 23:27 Print #1 SILENT PRT. REELS 1,2,3
Electric Fields / Electric Lines of Force (PSSC 1959) TSG Physics 2022-11-09 | This 7-min film on Electric Fields featuring Alexander Joseph was produced as part of the Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) Physics Curriculum by Educational Services, Inc. (ESI), later Education Development Center (EDC).This early PSSC film (ESI Production #22) appears to have been produced prior to creating a uniform branding but is listed as "Electric Lines of Force" one of the main films according to the 1973 EDC catalog as opposed to the 25min "Electric Fields" by Francis Bitter and John Waymouth. Recorded from a 16mm projection.
The Stern-Gerlach Experiment (ESI College Physics Film Program 1967) TSG Physics 2022-11-09 | This film on The Stern-Gerlach Experiment featuring MIT Professor Jerrold R. Zacharias was produced in 1967 as part of the College Physics Film Program by Educational Services, Inc. (ESI), later Education Development Center (EDC), which grew out of the project known as the Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC). Some of the content was developed by the Science Teaching Center (STC), later Education Research Center (ERC), at MIT.This is a 16mm projection filmed by a digital camera.This apparatus is currently in hibernation but had been used for a number of decades in MIT's Junior Physics Laboratory while having its parts gradually replaced or upgraded with components like stepper motors.
Photoelectric Effect (V2) [7A10.10] TSG Physics 2014-02-13 | Demonstration of Einstein's discovery of the photoelectric effect.
Tuning Forks (C46) [3B70.10] TSG Physics 2012-06-25 | Two identical tuning forks and sounding boxes are placed next to one another. Striking one tuning fork will cause the other to resonate at the same frequency. When a weight is attached to one tuning fork, they are no longer identical. Thus, one will not cause the other to resonate. When two different tuning forks are struck at the same time, the interference of their pitches produces beats.
Barkhausen Effect (J3) [5G20.10] TSG Physics 2012-06-25 | A soft iron core is placed inside a solenoid having several hundred turns of fine wire. The coil winding is connected to a loudspeaker. Audible results of the Barkhausen Effect are produced by slowly moving a permanent magnet toward the solenoid core. A loud rasping sound will be heard caused by the domains aligning themselves. Successive passes produce no sound until the polarity of the magnet is changed.
Curie Point of Iron (J10) [5G50.10] TSG Physics 2012-06-25 | A piece of iron is suspended with a copper wire at the height of one pole of a magnet. At first the iron is attracted to the magnet. The iron is then heated with a torch and eventually falls from the magnet. As the iron cools it will again be attracted to the magnet.
Simulation of Magnetic Domains (J1) [5G20.30] TSG Physics 2012-06-25 | A large number of compass needles are mounted on a Plexiglass sheet. A bar magnet is used to set the needles in motion. When the needles come to a stop, interaction between the needles simulates magnetic domains.
Surface Distribution of Charge (D28) [5B30.20] TSG Physics 2012-06-25 | A tear drop shaped conductor on an insulating stand is charged. Charge is scooped up from various points on the surface of the conductor with a proof plane and transferred to an electroscope. It is demonstrated that the charge density is greater at the areas of greater curvature.
Fiber Optic Bundle (M4) [6A44.40] TSG Physics 2012-06-25 | The image of printed words is transmitted through a bundle of approximately 25,000 coherent optical fibers. A lens is used to bring the image into the focusing range of a TV camera.
Weighted Hacksaw Blade (C21) TSG Physics 2012-06-25 | A hacksaw blade has a weight attached to each end. The center of the blade is tightly held in a vise. The two halves of the blade then behave like coupled oscillators.
Lenzs Law with Copper Pipe (H16) [5K20.25] TSG Physics 2012-06-25 | A magnet is dropped down a conducting copper pipe and feels a resistive force. The falling magent induces a current in the copper pipe and, by Lenz's Law, the current creates a magnetic field that opposes the changing field of the falling magnet. Thus, the magnet is "repelled" and falls more slowly.
Charge and Electric Field of a Hollow Conductor (D27) [5B20.10] TSG Physics 2012-06-25 | A conducting sphere is charged with a Wimshurst Machine. Charge is removed from the outside of the sphere and placed on an electroscope, which deflects outwards. When the procedure is done for the inside of the sphere, it is found that no charge resides there. Conducting balls are used to examine the effect of the sphere's electric field on the displacement of charge. The field induces opposite charges on the balls and, again, the effect is shown using the electroscope.
Field of a Sphere and an Infinite Plane (D21) [5B10.51] TSG Physics 2012-06-25 | A Mylar balloon is held near a charged Van de Graaff generator. The balloon is moved radially away from the sphere and its deflection from the vertical is observed to decrease with distance. The same procedure is done with a conducting "infinite" plane. When the balloon is moved outwards from the plane, its deflection from the vertical remains constant. When the balloon is very far from the plane, edge effects conspire to decrease its deflection.
Paramagnetism of Liquid Oxygen (J4) [5G30.20] TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | First, liquid oxygen is made by passing gaseous oxygen through a tube submerged in liquid nitrogen. Then the oxygen is poured between the poles of a strong electromagnet. The paramagnetic nature of the oxygen causes an induced dipole. As a result, the oxygen is suspended in the magnetic field. Once the field is disabled the oxygen returns to its original state and falls from the magnet. Note: liquid oxygen is dangerous and can cause spontaneous combustion please do not try this at home.
Ring Falling in a Magnetic Field (H5) TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | Three aluminium objects are dropped through a magnetic field. The objects move slower entering and leaving the field due to changes in the flux through the object. The change in the flux through a conductor results in a force which opposes additional flux change. As a result the force opposes the motion and slows the object's fall. This demonstration illustrates Faraday's and Lenz's law.
Sound Wave Interference (P3) [3B55.10] TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | Two speakers, mounted on the table and facing each other, are driven by a function generator. A microphone is introduced between the speakers and the sound waves are displayed on an oscilloscope. This demonstrates the effect of interference and the resulting phase shift on sound waves over a fixed distance. Three different frequencies are demonstrated; 880Hz (A5), 440Hz (A4) and 523.3Hz (C5).
Steel Ball Dropped in a Viscous Fluid (A11) [2C30.51] TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | Five steel balls of different sizes are dropped into corn syrup. The balls reach a constant velocity shortly after entering the fluid. The velocity is constrained due to the drag balancing the force of gravity in the fluid. This demonstrates the relationship between the size of the ball and the maximum velocity it can obtain.
Bell Labs Wave Machine: Matched Impedence TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | Three segments of the Bell Labs Wave Machine are connected together. The points at which they are connected have the same impedance. Therefore, traveling waves will not be reflected at these boundaries. One can also observe the change in wavelength and velocity as waves travel from high impedance to low impedance and vice versa.
Bell Labes Wave Machine: Mismatched Impedence TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | Two segments of the Bell Labs apparatus are connected. The segments have different impedance. When a pulse travels from high impedance to low impedance, it is reflected with positive polarity and transmitted with positive polarity. When a pulse travels from low impedance to high impedance, it is reflected with negative polarity and transmitted with positive polarity.
Bell Labs Wave Machine: Superposition TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | A single pulse creates two waves of one-half amplitude. When the waves pass each other they add constructively to create the original pulse.
Bell Labs Wave Machine: Standing Waves TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | Standing waves are created on the Bell Labs apparatus. The apparatus is "open" at both ends, therefore the number of nodes is equal to the number of overtones. For example, the fourth harmonic will have four nodes, the fifth harmonic will have five nodes, etc.
Bell Labs Wave Machine: Reflection TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | Pulses are created on the Bell Labs apparatus and reflections from the opposite end are observed. Initially, the ends of the apparatus are left open and the reflections have positive polarity. When one end is fixed, reflections have negative polarity.Pulses are created on the Bell Labs apparatus and reflections from the opposite end are observed. Initially, the ends of the apparatus are left open and the reflections have positive polarity. When one end is fixed, reflections have negative polarity.
Interrupted Pendulum (B96) [1M40.15] TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | A pendulum swings from a support post and another post is added to interrupt its swing. We desire to know the maximum height at which the pendulum will perform a full loop around the post. The pendulum requires both potential and kinetic energy in order to complete a full loop. Therefore, it will never be able to return to its height of release while completing a full loop. Ultimately, the pendulum has enough energy to complete a full loop when interrupted at a height equal to two-fifths its initial height of release.
Pulling a Cloth from Under a Beaker (B123) [1F20.30] TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | A beaker is placed on top of a cloth, on top of a stool. The cloth is pulled quickly from underneath the beaker, while the beaker remains stationary. The impulse of the net force is made very small by reducing the time over which the cloth acts on the beaker. In other words, the force of the cloth does not act on the beaker long enough to accelerate it, so it does not move.
Plate Sliding Under a Soda Can (B122) [1F20.35] TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | A can is placed on top of a metal sheet on a stool. A broom hits the sheet causing it to fly from underneath the can, while the can remains stationary. The impulse of the net force is made very small by reducing the time over which the metal sheet acts on the can. In other words, the force of the sheet does not act on the can long enough to accelerate it, so it does not move.
Wooden Block Between Two Strings (B40) [1F20.15] TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | A block of wood is attached vertically between two strings. When the bottom string is pulled slowly, the top string breaks. When the bottom string is pulled quickly, it itself breaks.
Loop the Loop (B95) [1M40.20] TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | A ball rolls down an inclined track and around a vertical circle. All of the ball's initial potential energy is converted into three forms of energy when it reaches the top of the loop: potential energy corresponding to the height of the loop, kinetic energy corresponding to the ball's velocity, and kinetic energy corresponding to the ball's rotation as it rolls. Knowing that the ball must achieve a certain velocity to make it around the loop and taking all forms of energy into account, one can determine the initial potential energy that the ball must have. This corresponds to an initial height of release.
Michelson Interferometer (P12) [6D40.10] TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | In this setup, an interferometer is used to measure the wavelength of laser light. The incident beam is split into two paths, recombined, and projected on a screen. When one of the path lengths is varied, the interference pattern on the screen changes. By measuring the distance that a path length must be changed in order to achieve the original interference pattern, one can determine the wavelength of the incident light.
Spring Paradox (B17) [1J20.23] TSG Physics 2012-06-22 | A mass hangs from two identical springs. First, the springs are attached in series by a short string between them. The springs are also connected in parallel by two peripheral strings that are initially slack. The center string is cut, changing the system from series to parallel. The mass does not move downwards, as one might have thought. Rather, the mass moves upwards because the spring constant of the system is increased.
Double Cone and Plane (B84) [1J20.70] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | A double cone is placed on the bars of an inclined plane. Instead of rolling down the plane the cone rolls up. Although the plane slants upward, the bars diverge so that the rotational axis of the cone, which passes through the center of mass, actually moves downward.
Hinged Stick and a Falling Ball (A22) [1Q20.50] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | Two wood boards are connected by a hinge. A small cup is mounted near one end of the upper board with a tee for a ball on the end. The board is lifted to a certain height, and when released the ball ends up in the plastic cup. This shows that the board has moved farther than the ball in the same period of time.
Heros Engine (B128) [1Q40.80] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | This demonstration illustrates the earliest form of steam engine, as described by Hero of Alexandria around 150 B.C. A small amount of water is heated to produce steam, which accelerates out of small tubes. In turn, the steam creates thrust and the engine quickly spins up.
Feather and Coin in a Vacuum (A8) [1C20.10] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | The free fall of a coin and feather are compared, first in a tube full of air and then in a vacuum. With air resistance, the feathers fall more slowly. In a vacuum, the objects fall at the same rate independent of their respective masses.
Finding the Center of Mass...achusetts (B75) [1J10.10] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | A cutout of Massachusetts is hung in several orientations and a line is drawn straight downwards. The lines intersect at the center of mass.
Rotating Candles in a Dome TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | A row of candles are placed inside a see-through dome on a rotating platform. When the platform rotates, air inside the dome gets swung to the outer part of the dome, creating higher density air at the outer rim, and lower density air in the middle. The candle flames point inwards towards the middle because the hot gas in the flames always points towards lower density air.
Double Pendulum (C69) [3A95.50] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | A double jointed pendulum hangs from a rod. Swinging the pendulum with high energy results in motion that cycles chaotically between normal modes. Swinging it with low energy results in more predictable motion. When viewed under black lights, it is easy to see that the first joint of the pendulum travels in a semicircular path, while the second joint follows varied, unpredictable trajectories.
Microwave Interference (K2) [6D10.25] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | A double-horn microwave emitter faces a microwave receiver. The receiver is also connected to a speaker, which displays the received signal as audio, and an oscilloscope, which displays the signal visually. When the receiver is moved perpendicularly to the emitter, constructive and destructive interference can be both seen and heard.When one of the emitter horns is covered, the interference pattern disappears.
Spray Paint Oscillator (C4) [3A40.72] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | A can of spray paint is attached to a spring oscillator. A roll of paper is run past the oscillating can. The result is a sine wave on the paper.
Inductor Radio (H31) [5K10.51] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | One wire coil is connected to a radio, and another is connected to a speaker. The two coils are not connected to each other. The radio signal is transmitted through the induced magnetic field caused by the current in the wires. The signal is only received when there is a magnetic flux through the receiving coil, and thus no sound is heard when the coils are perpendicular to each other.
Break Down of Air (D29) [5A50.30] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | Grounding rod tips of different sizes are used to discharge a large Van de Graaff generator. The larger the curvature of the tip, the more charge must build up to break down the air, resulting in longer sparks. The electricity ionizes air molecules, releasing quick flashes of light.A pointed tip barely sparks at all, but instead creates an electric field so strong that it forms a tiny ball of plasma just beyond the tip. This is known as "St. Elmo's Fire", and is just visible when all the lights are turned off.
Potential Energy to Kinetic Energy (B97) TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | Two identical metal balls are dropped from the same height using an electromagnetic release. One ball is dropped freely, while the other hangs from a string, acting as a simple pendulum. Using two photogates, we see that the vertical velocity of the dropped ball is identical to the horizontal velocity of the pendulum, measured at the same height. Potential energy has been converted to kinetic energy equally in both cases.
Flourescent and Neon Tubes in Electric Field (D24) [5B10.58] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | A fluorescent tube swings at the end of a long plexiglass rod. It is made to rotate and then brought near the Van de Graaff generator. The tube lights up when there is a potential difference between its ends. This happens when it is pointing radially away from the Van de Graaff. The same can be done with a small neon tube.
Moving Sand Cart Over A Rotating Surface (B150) [1E30.11] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | A sand-carrying cart on a track leaves a trail of sand when it travels over a rotating table. This demonstrates the Coriolis Effect.
Centrifugal vs. Centripetal Motion (B102) [1D55.15] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | A wooden ball is attached to the rim of a spinning wheel. The ball is held in place by a string. When the spring is cut, the ball flies in a straight tangent to the wheel.In the camera's frame of reference, the ball constantly accelerates around in a circle due to the centripetal force pulling it inwards. When the string is cut, the acceleration stops, and the ball flies away in a straight tangential line. When the string is cut in the rotating frame of reference, a fictitious force (centrifugal force) accelerates the ball.
Wimshurst Machine (D14) [5A50.10] TSG Physics 2012-06-21 | A Wimshurst electrostatic generator, working on the principle of induction, generates high voltage differences and sparks between two movable electrodes. By increasing the distance between the electrodes, higher potential differences can be built up.Electrostatic induction refers to the principle that charges in an object (especially a conductor) redistribute themselves in the presence of nearby charges. Opposite charges are attracted to each other, while similar charges are repelled.Larger charges can be stored by connecting the knobs to Leyden jars which are component parts of the machine.
![Ripple Tank: Single and Double Slit Diffraction and Interference (C31) [3B50.20]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/egRFqSKFmWQ/hqdefault.jpg)