Science Experiments & Demonstrations
KEY:
Beginner -
Moderate -
Advanced
Experiments with Magnetism & Electricity
| Ferrofluids and Magnetorheological Fluids Liquids can be made that will respond to a magnetic field in a variety of ways. |
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| Thermal effects on resistance Watch the resistance of a coil drop when it is cooled to -20°C or rise when it is heated. |
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| Simple Magnetic Linear Accelerator Also known as a coil gun or gauss rifle, this devices used electromagnets to accelerate ferrous projectiles. |
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| Induction and Repulsion When a coil is energised with AC current, an opposing magnetic field is created in adjacant conductors. |
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| The Curie Effect Heat can cause a magnetic material to loose its ability to retain a magnetic field. |
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| Diamagnetic Levitation Levitate a tiny magnet using a metal called Bismuth which has diamagnetic properties (repels a magnetic field |
High Voltage Experiments
| Franklin Bells Lightning Detector A simple device to detect the presence of electrostatic fields from lightning storms. This helps to demonstrate the principles of attraction and repulsion between charges. |
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| Electrostatic Motor Static electricity can be used to make a CD spin at high speeds. This experiment demonstrates the principles of induction and electrostatic forces. |
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| Lord Kelvin's Thunderstorm Using dripping water to generate High Voltage Sparks. This experiment helps to demonstrate the principles of induction of electric charge and polarized molecules. |
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| Tesla Coil Experiments A high voltage device known as a Tesla Coil can be used to create stunning visual effects and physical phenomenon. This helps to give an understanding of low temperature plasma and high voltage AC. |
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| Violent Discharge and Dielectric Breakdown A simple low current voltage multiplier is used to generate high voltage DC. buildup of static charge can cause materials to break down in a variety of ways. |
Mechanics and Motion Experiments
| Exploding Water A very simple experiment to demonstrate how a liquid can become a gas very rapidly. A cup of hot water will expode when one simple ingredient is added to it. |
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| Vortex Experiments A vortex can be made in a variety of ways. They can be used to study the natural phenomenon of tornados and dust devils, or just to understand the physical principles involved. |
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| Thermal Updrafts Rising thermal drafts can be trapped and controlled to create motion. |
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| Resonance and Simple Harmonic Motion A demonstration of how harmonic motions cause resonant vibrations. |
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| Hydrogen Cannon Splitting water with electricity creates explosive gas that can be used to launch tiny missiles. |
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| Liquid Metal Experiments Mercury is not the only metal that is a liquid at room temperature. Learn how eutectic alloys can be made that can melt in hot water, or remain liquid down to -20° C |
Free Energy Experiments
| Converting Heat into Electricity Thermal differences in the environment can be used to generate electricity in a variety of ways. This demonstrate the Thermoelectric effect. |
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| Converting Sunlight into Electricity A homemade solar panel. This demonstrates the Photoelectric effect. |
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| Wind Generators Simple demonstrations of how wind can be used to create electricit |
Optical, Light and Visual Experiments
| Laser Experiments Producing interference patterns using tiny slits can reveal information about the strange world of quantum mechanics. Lasers can also be used to create a visual amplification of vibrations on reflective surfaces. |
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