In need of cool experiments for show called 'Quantum'

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around seeking engaging and beginner-level physics experiments for a theater show titled 'Quantum.' The focus is on experiments related to waves, particles, and cosmology that can captivate the audience and illustrate concepts of discovery and experimentation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Christina, the original poster, requests suggestions for beginner-level physics experiments, particularly those involving waves, particles, and cosmology, and mentions a limited budget.
  • Some participants suggest using a laser pointer and a CD to demonstrate interference patterns.
  • A participant references a resource for wave demonstrations using a Slinky, indicating it as a classic experiment.
  • Another participant describes a counter-intuitive experiment involving a small bouncy ball dropped on a larger bouncy ball, noting its surprising bounce height.
  • One suggestion involves using Dyson fans to demonstrate principles related to Bernoulli's principle, although the connection is questioned.
  • Another participant proposes a demonstration of gravity using heavy and light objects on a flexible surface to illustrate how mass affects the curvature of space-time.
  • Christina reiterates her request for experiments and mentions already having Chladni plates, emphasizing the need for additional equipment that incorporates lights, sound, smoke, or water.
  • A suggestion is made to contact local university outreach groups for further assistance in sourcing experiments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present a variety of suggestions and ideas, but there is no consensus on specific experiments or methods. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple competing views and approaches.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a range of experimental ideas but does not resolve the effectiveness or appropriateness of the proposed experiments for the theater show. Some suggestions may depend on specific definitions or interpretations of physics principles.

Christina Eddowes
Hello Everyone!

My name's Christina and I work at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool... We have a show coming up in the main space at the beginning of July that's going to be performed by YEP (Young Everyman and Playhouse)... and hopefully it's going to be a love story about all things Physics-y ...We need to get the audience hooked into the idea of discovery and experimentation as quickly as possible, and we thought the best way to do that was to show them some cool (beginner level) experiments in the general areas of waves, particles and cosmology... As we have a very small budget, if any of you super-clever bods out there have any cool experiments or pieces of equipment that you've knocked up that you would be willing to lend to us for a couple of weeks, in exchange for some free advertising or free tickets, we'd be really grateful!

...we've already sourced some Chladni plates, but anything with lights/sound/smoke or water...even if it's only vaguely related to physics, would be much appreciated! ...And if anyone has managed a mock double-slit experiment, or anything that can demonstrate space-time, so much the better! All suggestions appreciated!

Best wishes,

Chris :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Apologies, and thank you! ...As you can tell, I'm new to forums! :)
 
Laser pointer and CD for interference.
 
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A search on "wave demo Slinky"





lots of experiments in the sidebars there

a classic
 
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As an example of something counter-intuitive which is easily explained by physics, I like the effect of dropping a small bouncy ball in place on top of a big bouncy ball. When they both hit the floor, it's quite astonishing how high the small ball can bounce (much higher than it was dropped - I think it's up to about 9 times higher in theory for a very bouncy ball). Don't try this with anything breakable nearby, as a slight misalignment can result in the small ball going a long way!
 
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This demonstration can be done on a budget. (Is this really a demonstration of Bernoulli's principle? Well, I'm pretty sure it fits in there somewhere or another anyway.)



There are some Dyson brand fans that work on this sort of principle (in part).
 
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"Gravity sounds mighty but tis the weakest."

1. Heavy object dropped on semi-rigid matrerial, it would stretch but hold.

2. Maglev
——————
"Space is bent by a massive object"

1. Heavier and lighter ball-like objects placed on elastic-y surface. Heavier objects make bigger "wells".

2. Roll marbles on the surface, they would get caught in the well. If they are rolling with enough speed their path will be bent but they'll emerge from the well. Light bent by gravity.

3. If there's a heavy ball with a deep well, or if the marble isn't rolled with enough speed, it'd get caught in the well. A black hole.
 
Christina Eddowes said:
Hello Everyone!

My name's Christina and I work at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool... We have a show coming up in the main space at the beginning of July that's going to be performed by YEP (Young Everyman and Playhouse)... and hopefully it's going to be a love story about all things Physics-y ...We need to get the audience hooked into the idea of discovery and experimentation as quickly as possible, and we thought the best way to do that was to show them some cool (beginner level) experiments in the general areas of waves, particles and cosmology... As we have a very small budget, if any of you super-clever bods out there have any cool experiments or pieces of equipment that you've knocked up that you would be willing to lend to us for a couple of weeks, in exchange for some free advertising or free tickets, we'd be really grateful!

...we've already sourced some Chladni plates, but anything with lights/sound/smoke or water...even if it's only vaguely related to physics, would be much appreciated! ...And if anyone has managed a mock double-slit experiment, or anything that can demonstrate space-time, so much the better! All suggestions appreciated!

Best wishes,

Chris :)
Have you tried contacting the University of Liverpool's Physics outreach group, or LJMU's http://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/outreach?
 

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