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The following are science demonstrations ideas that can be presented at a science fair.
During the month of March at SCCC, students prepare demonstrations to present at the STEM week.
Other than that, it is up to the physics club to organize science fairs (maybe in collaboration with other STEM clubs as well) at the plaza or inside a building, some day during the semester. The Halloween festival is also a very popular weekend event at SCCC.
This list exists so that club members can:
GET INSPIRED, BRAINSTORM IDEAS, AND CHOOSE DEMOS (even beyond/outside this current list)
PREPARE OR BUILD THE NECESSARY APPARATUS WHEN NEEDED (PLAN AND BUY PARTS WHEN NEEDED: forms to buy equipment are available at the Office of Campus Activities at the Babylon bldg)
STUDY THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE DEMO SO THAT YOU CAN PROPERLY EXPLAIN IT TO THE PUBLIC!
Finally, make sure you always present your final ideas to the club advisor before you start buying or building stuff....
Diverse demo collections:
MIT Physics demonstration group: https://www.youtube.com/user/TSGPhysics/videos
Air resistance
Air resistance
Start by using a ball (tennis ball for example) and a sheet of paper. Ask which falls faster: tennis ball or sheet of paper? Then crumple the sheet of paper into a ball approximately the same diameter as the tennis ball previously used. Now ask again which falls faster: tennis ball or paper ball?
Textbook: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/5-2-drag-forces
Optics experiments
Optics experiments
Optics experiments require a dark room.
The club would probably want to invest in a dark tent (for example here), and purchase dark cloths.
Total Internal Reflection
Total Internal Reflection
This is the idea in fiber optics, for example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lic3gCS_bKo
Textbook: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/25-4-total-internal-reflection
Camera obscura
Camera obscura
Refraction
Refraction
Splitting light into colors:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uucYGK_Ymp0
Disappearance of objects:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih-gI7Hzrj4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDSO1ZJ3QHo
Textbook: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/25-3-the-law-of-refraction
Diffraction to split light into colors
Diffraction to split light into colors
Scattering of blue light, polarization
Scattering of blue light, polarization
Static electricity
Static electricity
Van de Graaff
Van de Graaff
Build a simple electromagnetic motor
Build a simple electromagnetic motor
Greenhouse effect
Greenhouse effect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baJtBDJDQDQ
Prof. Denicolo owns an infrared camera that can be used upon arrangement.
Learn more: https://www.livescience.com/50260-infrared-radiation.html
Resonance
Resonance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYrdiQckGhw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_u3sGbpM8M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG0jprCQ6Ak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj66mUEvKNY
Beats (not at resonance): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yia8spG8OmA
Textbook: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/16-8-forced-oscillations-and-resonance
Double pendulum
Double pendulum
Very entertaining and almost hypnotizing.
Doppler effect
Doppler effect
Textbook: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/17-4-doppler-effect-and-sonic-booms
Superconducting magnetic levitation
Superconducting magnetic levitation
We have the superconductor wafer and the track.
Needed: liquid nitrogen.
Also, demos with liquid nitrogen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaxZwsqstFs
Centripetal force
Centripetal force
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zulw5bQ18Kk
Textbook: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/6-3-centripetal-force
Random demos to get you interested in physics
Random demos to get you interested in physics
Vacuum chamber fun
Vacuum chamber fun
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