need cool physics experiments

[VanOosten]

Me and a couple friends are trying to resurrect the old physics club at my university and could use some cool inexpensive experiment ideas to try and boost attendance and have some fun. Any ideas?

[Gokul43201]

How to pour a gas, and other simple tricks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_f3SkxTWxc&feature=related

One of my favorites is the dry ice smoke ring generator: http://www.stevespangler.com/experiment-of-the-week/kitchen-science-dry-ice-mini-smoke-ring-launcher/

This can easily be scaled up (plastic bucket with 6" hole + rubber sheet) to launch coherent rings clean across a 200ft auditorium.

More links here: http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=254850&highlight=demos

[Grep]

One of my favorite experiments is determining the speed of light (within about 5% or so) using marshmallows and a microwave oven. I mean how cool is that!

Look at the "Cavity Resonance" method of determining the speed of light on the wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_light

The experiment is described nicely right here:

http://www.physics.umd.edu/icpe/newsletters/n34/marshmal.htm

Another interesting one to play with is the Mpemba effect. Hot water can freeze before room temperature water. Nobody totally understands all the factors involved, but it's a fun one to experiment with:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpemba_effect

Also goes to show how we shouldn't assume something just because it makes sense to us, or seems intuitively correct.

I'm going to try and take spectra of things using a CD or DVD, a box, two razor blades and a tube from a toilet paper roll. Should be fun!

[VanOosten]

great ideas guys thanks for the help

[Lacy33]

try raising the dead.

[lisab]

try raising the dead.

You crack me up, Lacy :rofl: