Magnetic slime
Slime is combined with iron filings to create magnetic slime. The iron filings adhere to the slime, causing it to stretch when a strong magnet is held nearby, as the iron filings are attracted by the magnet.
Electricity and Magnetism
Tesla Coil
As a current passes through the outer coil, as magnetic field is created and due to the large number of windings of the inner coil, a huge step up in voltage occurs. Such a large potential difference is created that bolts of electricity leave the top to connect the high potential difference at the top […]
Jacob’s ladder
At the base of the two probes, there is a gap that once the electric potential is high enough, the air in the gap begins to ionize. Just as hot air rises, the hot ionized air in between the two probes will begin to rise until the distance between the probes is too great and […]
Spark Detector
In this demo, a high voltage is placed between some wires and a grounded electrode. When an alpha emitter is placed near the wires, sparks start to jump between wires and the electrode. The alphas temporarily ionize some of the air in this region, creating an easier path for electricity to flow!
Electromagnetic alternator Bike
On this alternator bike, we have a collection of stationary sets of coiled copper wires, and by turning the pedal we are able to rotate magnets around these wires. This rotation around the copper wires generates a changing magnetic flux of the system, and through Lenz’s law, generates a current to power on the different […]
Eddy current pendulum
While aluminum itself is not magnetic, when traveling in a magnetic field, eddy currents can be produced. On one side, eddy currents create a magnetic field that opposes the existing magnet field, slowing down as a consequence, while on the slitted side, these eddy currents can’t be produced and travels through the magnet with little […]
Lenz’s Law demo
In the pvc pipe, there is no resistance to the falling of the magnet, but in the copper we can see that the magnet falls at a faster rate. This is because, due to Lenz’s law, as the magnet falls through the copper pipe eddy currents are being generated which causes an opposite magnetic field […]
Levitating train
The resistance of superconducting materials at low temperatures drops to zero, allowing them to levitate over magnets. A reservoir filled with liquid nitrogen and put into a 3D printed train then levitates over a track made of strong magnets, thus creating a levitating train.
Superconducting Roller Coaster
The resistance of superconducting materials at low temperatures drops to zero, allowing them to levitate over magnets. The magnetic flux pins a superconductor to a magnetic roller coaster track, forcing it to hover at a fixed distance, even when that track is upside down.
Jacob’s ladder (with swords)
At the base of the two swords, there is a gap that once the electric potential is high enough, the air in the gap begins to ionize. Just as hot air rises, the hot ionized air in between the two swords will begin to rise until the distance between the probes is too great and […]
Cathode Ray Tube
A cathode ray tube can simply be seen as an electron gun. Electrons are produced and accelerated onto a fluorescent screen where it is able to produce an image. Using a magnet or changing the electric field is able to deflect the flow of electrons and moves the image
Electric Field with Oil and Seeds
For this demo, some (grass?) seeds are suspended in oil. When exposed to a strong electric field, these seeds polarize and point along the direction of the field at every point. This experiment is an excellent tool for visualizing electric field lines throughout space.
Maxwell Wheel
Winding up the wheel gives it gravitational potential energy. Once let go, this energy is converted into kinetic energy or falling and rotation. Then it bounces back from the bottom and begins to climb again, losing its kinetic energy to potential energy until it reaches the top and starts the cycle all over.
Piezoelectric Demo
We demonstrate piezoelectric properties by dropping (or throwing) a ball on a piezoceramic. If thrown hard enough, it will light up a neon lamp.
Homopolar Motor
The current runs through the wire that is connected to both ends of the battery. The Lorentz force due to the magnetic field created by the magnet causes the wire loop to rotate, creating a motor that will spin as long as the battery can push current through the wire.
Rodin’s Coil
Alternating current is run through a loop, creating a very strong magnetic field inside of the coil. When magnetic objects are placed in the center of the coil, the magnetic field created by the coil causes the magnets to rotate and even levitate.
Wimshurst Generator
Rotating the two disks of the generator in opposite directions against a metal brush will cause accumulation of static electricity. This excess charge is collected and stored in the two leyden jars. Once the electric potential is great enough, visible sparks can be seen between the electrodes.
Levitating Magnet
A very strong magnet is placed on top of a thick aluminum disk that is attached to a motor and rotates at high speeds. As the aluminum disk rotates, eddy currents are generated from the changing magnetic field of the magnet, causing the magnet to float.