Help me decide with a mid range physic project

AI Thread Summary
A student is seeking ideas for a mid-range physics project that is not overly simple or expensive. The themes covered in class include torque, simple harmonic movement, waves, mechanical fluids, and thermodynamics. Previous projects have included a ram water pump and a hydraulic arm, but the student is looking for something new, ideally related to sonoluminescence. Suggestions include analyzing an inverted pendulum for its chaotic properties or studying standing waves on a weighted wire, both of which can be implemented with accessible materials. The discussion highlights the challenge of limited lab access and the need for creative yet feasible project ideas.
superjose
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Homework Statement


Hi guys. Recently, my physics' teacher told my class to make an experiment from any of the themes which are covered in the period. I need some ideas in which I can make something, somewhat good and not easy looking, but at the same time not very budget consuming.


Homework Equations





Themes covered in my class:
Torque
Simple Harmonic Movement
Waves.
Mechanical Fluids
Temperature; thermodynamics.



In previous courses, people have done the following:

- Ram water pump

- Hydraulic Arm.

- Submarine.



The Attempt at a Solution






What I have tried proposing to no avail:

- Pascal Tube,

- Hydraulic elevator using Pascal's principle.



What he wants, and will give lots of extra points to the group who deliver:

-Sonoluminiescence




Any ideas? I am not living in the U.S., and I have a very limited access to labs, is there a not so expensive way to do a good, somewhat-complex looking project?

I appreciate a lot your great help!
 
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I think it would be pretty cool if you were to get a 5mW laser (pretty cheap online, you can find them for < 10 bucks), and use it to make a hologram. Now that I think about it, I'm sure that there is a kit online that would make it pretty easy for you to do (I don't know if that's allowed).

Hopefully this falls under the waves category of your possible choices.

I googled how to make a hologram and got this link,
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7759505...dgets/t/how-make-holograms-home/#.TuD2SbJiLjw

and even though it will be pretty easy to do, the physics behind it can be pretty in depth no pun intended.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/optmod/holog.html

Just a thought :smile:
 
dacruick said:
I think it would be pretty cool if you were to get a 5mW laser (pretty cheap online, you can find them for < 10 bucks), and use it to make a hologram. Now that I think about it, I'm sure that there is a kit online that would make it pretty easy for you to do (I don't know if that's allowed).

Hopefully this falls under the waves category of your possible choices.

I googled how to make a hologram and got this link,
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7759505...dgets/t/how-make-holograms-home/#.TuD2SbJiLjw

and even though it will be pretty easy to do, the physics behind it can be pretty in depth no pun intended.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/optmod/holog.html

Just a thought :smile:

Thanks man! I'll give it a shot! Let's see what the teacher thinks about it. :D
 
Just asked the teacher... He said that it is not part of the class :(
 
superjose said:
Just asked the teacher... He said that it is not part of the class :(

Bummer. Yeah, I was wondering if it would be. I don't understand why it couldn't be a part of waves. Unless your class only did standing waves or something like that.
 
It's vexing that you don't have access to labs, what is the teacher expecting you to do, go to a grocery store and get materials? Bah.

Anyway, how about you analyze a non-linear pendulum - say an inverted pendulum. It's got some pretty interesting chaotic properties.

Or, if that's too high level, how about the behavior of standing waves on a weighted wire. That could be fairly easy to implement, get some wire from a home improvement store, add weights to one end, analyze.
 
e.bar.goum said:
It's vexing that you don't have access to labs, what is the teacher expecting you to do, go to a grocery store and get materials? Bah.

Anyway, how about you analyze a non-linear pendulum - say an inverted pendulum. It's got some pretty interesting chaotic properties.

Or, if that's too high level, how about the behavior of standing waves on a weighted wire. That could be fairly easy to implement, get some wire from a home improvement store, add weights to one end, analyze.

Hehehe. I'll ask the teacher that! Hopes he does not find it very simple :s.
 
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