Fire Syringe

 

Fire Syringe Demo Picture

  • Demonstrate how rapid adiabatic compression can cause a dramatic
    temperature increase.
  • Ignite a piece of tinder by forcefully ramming a piston
    into an airtight cylinder. Instructions included.
  • Located in L02, section C3.

 

Absolute Zero

 

Absolute Zero Demo Picture

Theory:

In a gas thermometer, pressure varies linearly with tempurature
(at fixed volume), and is given by P=aT+b, in degrees celsius. One can determine
the value of absolute zero by calibrating the gas thermometer at non-extreme
temperatures and extrapolating the calibration curve to the point of zero pressure
(and hence zero temperature).

 

Procedure:

Fill gas thermometer with air by opening the valve all the way,
then close the valve tightly to seal the bulb. Place the bulb of the gas thermometer
into a water bath of known temperature and record pressure and temperature.
Repeat procedure with at least one more bath of a different temperature. Plot
data, and extrapolate to zero pressure to determine abs zero. To test accuracy
of calibration curve, use gas thermometer to determine temperature of LN2. Should
get something close to -196 degrees Celsius. (However, oxygen will liquify,
causing P vs T curve to become non-linear. So, may not get exactly -196.)

 

Location:

All thermo lab supplies are located in L35, sections G and H.
Saftey glasses are in section C1.

 

 

 

 

Peltier Effect

Peltier Effect Demo Picture

Peltier Effect Demo Picture 2

  • Connect Peltier device to Genecon hand-cranked generator. Voltage polarity is controlled by direction of crank. Temperature of Peltier chip (white square) depends on voltage polarity. Chip can be heated above room temp or cooled below. Chip responds very quickly to voltage increase.
  • Located in L02, section C-3.

 

Radiation Cans

 

Radiation Cans Demo Picture

  • Cans radiate and absorb heat at different rates.
  • Fill cans with warm, or cool water of identical temperature. Monitor the temperature change with a thermometer, or with a Logger Pro temperature probe.
  • Located in L02, section C-3.

 

Transformation of Energy Balls

aka “Fire Balls” (Thank you, Frank)

Transformation of Energy Balls Demo Picture

  • Principle illustrated: Kinetic energy is transformed into
    heat during a collision.
  • Strike the balls sharply together with a sheet of paper in between
    balls. A hole, with charred edges, should appear in the paper, accompanied
    by a burning smell.
  • Location: L02