University of Maryland

Physics Lecture-Demonstration Facility

Physics Question of the Week Topical Index

Contents:

A. General Materials and Mathematics
B. Statics
C. Kinematics and Dynamics
D. Rotational Mechanics
E. Gravitation and Astronomy
F. Fluid Mechanics
G. Vibrations and Mechanical Waves
H. Sound
I. Thermodynamics
J. Electrostatics and Magnetostatics
K. Electromagnetic Principles
L. Geometrical Optics
M. Wave Optics
N. Spectra and Color
O. Vision
P. Modern Physics

A. General Materials and Mathematics

A1. Basic Materials and Measurement

Q. #14         A1-32: Volumes: Spherical vs. Cylindrical
Q. #33         A1-41: Drawing Puzzle: Intersecting Rods
Q. #34         A1-42: Drawing Puzzle: Half Cube
Q. #289       A1-43: Crossing Rods
Q. #294        Moebius strip

A2. Mathematics

Q. #208        A2-14: Dissectable Cone
Q. #229        A2-62: Gibbs Phenomenon and Causality
Q. #118        A2-71: Topology of a String

B. Statics

B1. Center of Mass Statics

Q. #96         B1-01: Center of Mass – Disc Section
Q. #62         B1-07: Double Cone – Small
Q. #112       B1-12: Center of Mass – Hinged Stick Paradox
Q. #106       B1-13: Center of Mass – Fork and Spoon on Toothpick
Q. #188       B1-24: Center of Mass – Carts on Balance Board
Q. #320       Center of Mass of Little Oblong Guy

B2. Equilibrium of Forces and Torques

Q. #201        B2-32: Equilibrium of Torques – Large
Q. #202        B2-02: Sum of Forces – Spring Scales
Q. #23          B2-35: Equilibrium of Torques on Meterstick
Q. #215        B2-36: Equilibrium of Torques on Meterstick - Rotators
Q. #216        B2-36: Equilibrium of Torques on Meterstick - Rotators
Q. #1            B2-41: Roberval Balance
Q. #239        Balanced Balloon
Q. #240        Balanced Balloon - Helium

B3. Simple Machines

Q. #175        B3-12: Pulley – Mechanical Advantage
Q. #26          B3-14: Equilibrium Paradox: Scales and Pulley
Q. #45          B3-15: Fool's Tackle

B4. Elasticity

Q. #176        B4-03: Springs in Series and Parallel
Q. #179        B4-03: Springs in Series and Parallel
Q. #31          B4-04: Spring and String Thing
Q. #299        B4-33: Egg Crusher

C. Kinematics and Dynamics

C1. Center of Mass Motion

Q. #53         C1-21: Air Table – Toppling Stick

C2. Kinematics in One and Two Dimensions

Q. #119        C2-01: Air Track – Constant Velocity and Uniform Acceleration
Q. #123        C2-01: Air Track – Constant Velocity and Uniform Acceleration
Q. #135        C2-01: Air Track – Constant Velocity and Uniform Acceleration
Q. #2            C2-11: Racing Balls
Q. #47          C2-21: Balls Dropped and Shot
Q. #6            C2-25: Funnel Cart
Q. #7            C2-26: Funnel Cart With Mass Over Pulley
Q. #8            C2-27: Funnel Cart On Incline
Q. #54          C2-28: Trajectory of Ball Dropped by Walker

C3. First Law of Motion

Q. #42          C3-03: Inertia – Masses Hanging in Series
Q. #115        C3-21: Inertial Mass Cart
Q. #116        C3-21: Inertial Mass Cart
Q. #117        C3-21: Inertial Mass Cart
Q. #103        C4-51: Weightlessness in Free Fall – Mass in Beaker

C4. Second Law of Motion

Q. #49         C4-12: Accelerometer on Inclined Plane
Q. #71         C4-15: Helium Balloon in Accelerated Box
Q. #122       C4-22: Horizontal Atwood Machine
Q. #64         C4-43: Terminal Velocity – Stacked Coffee Filters
Q. #223       C4-52: Weightlessness in Free Fall – Mass in Cup on Pole
Q. #107       C4-54: Weightlessness in Free Fall – Magnet and Keeper
Q. #35         C4-61: Acceleration on a Scale
Q. #9           C4-62: Dropped Slinky
Q. #238       Dropped Slinky - Center of Mass

C5. Third Law of Motion

Q. #72         C5-02: Spring and Pulley Paradox
Q. #207       C5-12: Ballistic Cannon Carts
Q. #244       C5-12: Ballistic Cannon Carts
Q. #46         C5-18: Fan Cart
Q. #86         C5-31: Air Track – Sailing Upwind
Q. #66         C5-41: Hourglass Problem
Q. #67         C5-41: Hourglass Problem
Q. #203       Weight on Scale - Heartbeat

C6. Friction

Q. #132       C6-02: Inclined Plane – Friction Block
Q. #133       C6-03: Inclined Plane – Friction with Three Blocks
Q. #134       C6-11: Sliding Friction – Lecture Table and Felt
Q. #151       C6-11: Sliding Friction – Lecture Table and Felt
Q. #152       C6-11: Sliding Friction – Lecture Table and Felt
Q. #73         C6-12: Skidding Automobile
Q. #25         C6-21: Suspended Rod on Water

C7. Collisions

Q. #155        C7-04: Air Track – Collision Velocity Multiplier
Q. #29          C7-12: Collisions of Balls – One Lighter Mass
Q. #77          C7-25: Superball, Vacuum Mud, and Wood Block Collisions

C8. Mechanical Energy and Power

Q. #109        C8-03: Galileo's Pendulum

D. Rotational Mechanics

D1. Rotational Kinematics and Dynamics

Q. #44          D1-31: Trajectory from Spiral
Q. #82          D1-32: Trajectory from Circular Orbit
Q. #24          D1-38: Magnetslinger
Q. #11          D1-61: Rolling versus Sliding
Q. #41          D1-81: Tricycle
Q. #52          D1-82: Rolling Friction
Q. #50          D1-83: Spool
Q. #20          D1-84: Spinning Cylindrical Shell
Q. #310        Falling Toilet Paper: Free Fall vs. Unrolling

D2. Moment of Inertia

Q. #59         D2-01: Ring and Disc on Inclined Plane
Q. #43         D2-12: Toppling Chimney
Q. #38         D2-13: Racing Pendula
Q. #39         D2-13: Racing Pendula
Q. #309       D2-21: Center of Percussion - Bat and Mallet
Q. #283       D2-51: Bicycle Wheel Pendulum
Q. #317       Rotating Meter Stick Race - Different Lengths - Fixed Pivot
Q. #319       Rotating Meter Stick Race - Different Lengths - Frictionless Pivot

D3. Angular Momentum

Q. #76         D3-01: Masses Sliding on Rotating Crossarm
Q. #311       D3-03: Rotating Chair and Weights
Q. #308       D3-03: Rotating Chair and Weights
Q. #296       D3-05: Rotating Chair and Bicycle Wheel
Q. #61         D3-22: Inverse Sprinkler – Metal Model
Q. #30         D3-32: Keywhip

D4. Gyroscopes

Q. #85         D4-03: Bicycle Wheel Gyroscope on Pivot
Q. #94         D4-04: Bicycle Wheel Gyroscope on Rope
Q. #275       D4-07: Suitcase Gyroscope
Q. #276       D4-07: Suitcase Gyroscope
Q. #273       Bicycle wheel gyroscope
Q. #274       Bicycle wheel gyroscope

D5. Rotational Esoterica

Q. #323        D5-01: Tippe Top
Q. #166        D5-08: Wineglass and Olive
Q. #87          D5-11: Coriolis Effect – Ball on Rotating Platform
Q. #88          D5-11: Coriolis Effect – Ball on Rotating Platform
Q. #89          D5-15: Cyclone and Anticyclone Model

E. Gravitation and Astronomy

E1. Gravitation and Orbits

Q. #257        E1-21: Gravitational Lens Optical Model
Q. #258        E1-21: Gravitational Lens Optical Model

E2. Astronomy

F. Fluid Mechanics

F1. Pressure in Static Fluids

Q. #167        F1-05: Does Water Seek Its Own Level?
Q. #204        F1-12: Pascal's Law: Coiled Tube Paradox
Q. #78          F1-13: Constant Water Pressure
Q. #79          F1-13: Constant Water Pressure

F2. Buoyancy

Q. #266         F2-02: Cartesian Diver
Q. #17           F2-05: Buoyancy – Boat and Rock
Q. #98           F2-06: Buoyancy: Sinking Boat
Q. #199         F2-07: Buoyancy – Pepsi and Diet Pepsi
Q. #306         F2-07: Buoyancy – Pepsi and Diet Pepsi
Q. #56           F2-13: Buoyancy – Expanding Balloon Conundrum
Q. #10           F2-21: Reaction to Buoyant Force
Q. #69           F2-22: Buoyancy Paradox – Accelerated Frame
Q. #70           F2-22: Buoyancy Paradox – Accelerated Frame
Q. #32           F2-23: Buoyancy Paradox – Inverted Block
Q. #95           F2-24: Accelerated Buoyant Ball
Q. #40           F2-25: Buoyancy Paradox: Buoyancy With Crossover
Q. #3             F2-26: Buoyancy Paradox – Ball in Two Liquids
Q. #277         F2-32: Floating Square Bar
Q. #260         Buoyancy - Water Beaker on Styrofoam Block

F3. Surface Tension

Q. #5            F3-02: Surface Tension – Balloons
Q. #127        F3-03: Surface Tension – Soap Bubbles
Q. #101        F3-04: Surface Tension – Thread on Water
Q. #315        F3-21: Surface Tension - Alcohol and Water in Sand
Q. #171        F3-22: Surface Tension – At The Beach

F4. Fluid in Motion

Q. #172        F4-25: Cyclone in a Bottle
Q. #156        F4-32: Siphon – Chain Model
Q. #305        F4-33: Pythagorean Cup
Q. #158        F4-34: Siphon Balance
Q. #159        F4-34: Siphon Balance
Q. #163        F4-34: Siphon Balance
Q. #164        F4-34: Siphon Balance
Q. #84          F4-63: Marriotte's Bottle

F5. Forces in Moving Fluids

Q. #231        F5-12: Bernoulli's Principle?
Q. #153        F5-21: Venturi Tube with Manometers
Q. #154        F5-21: Venturi Tube with Manometers
Q. #220        F3-31: Magnus Effect – Flettner's Ship
Q. #206        F5-32: Curve Ball
Q. #212        F5-32: Curve Ball
Q. #256        F5-41: Windbag
Q. #228        Coanda Effect
Q. #255        Coanda Effect
Q. #322        Foam Ball in Moving Air Toy

G. Vibrations and Mechanical Waves

G1. Simple Harmonic Motion

Q. #200        G1-18: Pendulum with Force Scale
Q. #104        G1-20: Pendulum Release Conundrum
Q. #221        G1-73: Lissaous Figures – Fourier Synthesizer

G2. Resonance and Coupled Oscillations

Q. #222        G2-21: Coupled Pendula
Q. #241        G2-23: Spring-Coupled Physical Pendula
Q. #245        G2-24: Coupled Pendula – 100 to 1 Mass Ratio

G3. Mechanical Waves – One-Dimensional

Q. #262        G3-52: Rope Wave Generator – Rope Tension vs. Wavelength
Q. #263        G3-52: Rope Wave Generator – Rope Tension vs. Wavelength
Q. #264        G3-51: Rope Wave Generator – Frequency vs. Wavelength
Q. #265        G3-51: Rope Wave Generator – Frequency vs. Wavelength

G4. Mechanical Waves – Two-Dimensional

H. Sound

H1. Nature of Sound

Q. #242        H1-02: Speaker and Candle
Q. #157        H1-27: Speed of Sound – Lissajous Figures

H2. Wave Properties of Sound

Q. #141        H2-11: Sound Lens
Q. #142        H2-25: Quincke's Interference Tubes
Q. #213        H2-28: Fourier Synthesizer – Addition of Waves
Q. #143        H2-31: Acoustic Collimator
Q. #165        H2-32: Speaker with Baffle

H3. Standing Sound Waves

Q. #161        H3-11: Tuning Forks and Resonant Tube
Q. #162        H3-11: Tuning Forks and Resonant Tube
Q. #303        H3-12: Roaring Tube - 4ft
Q. #160        H3-24: Open and Closed Pipes
Q. #259        H3-24: Open and Closed Pipes
Q. #271        H3-33: Resonance from White Noise in Variable Tube
Q. #272        H3-33: Resonance from White Noise in Variable Tube
Q. #214        H3-62: Teacup Standing Waves
Q. #301        H3-62: Teacup Standing Waves
Q. #48          H3-74: Tuning Bar Paradox – Effect of Width
Q. #321        Humming Top
Q. #324        Shuntophone

H4. Music

Q. #325        H4-01 Fourier Synthesis
Q. #326        H4-04 Fourier Analysis - Digital Oscilloscope
Q. #236        H4-11 Savart's Disks

H5. The Ear

Q. #330        H5-16: Ohm's Law of Hearing - Fourier Synthesizer
Q. #149        H5-21: Three Decibels
Q. #150        H5-21: Three Decibels

H6. The Voice

Q. #327        H6-02 Vocal Formants
Q. #328        H6-02 Vocal Formants

I. Thermodynamics

I1. Thermal Properties of Matter

Q. #57          I1-11: Thermal Expansion – Ball and Hole
Q. #139        I1-21: Water Near 4 Degrees Celsius
Q. #140        I1-64: Burning Candle – Combustion Process
Q. #318        I1-71: Shape-Memory Alloy - Thermobile

I2. Transfer of Heat

Q. #173        I2-01: Crookes' Radiometer
Q. #174        I2-01: Crookes' Radiometer
Q. #180        I2-03: Crookes' Radiometer – Rotation Reversal
Q. #148        I2-12: Radiation From Cold Object
Q. #147        I2-21: Thermal Conductivity of Metals
Q. #314        I2-24: Thermal Conductivity in Water
Q. #261        I2-42: Falling Candle
Q. #145        I2-44: Convection – Candle in Cylinder
Q. #177        I2-45: Convection – High/Low Candles in Cylinder

I3. Gases

Q. #16          I3-02: Barometer – Weight Paradox
Q. #81          I3-43: Tire Pressure – Unloaded and Loaded

I4. Changes of State

Q. #278         I4-35: Lowering the Freezing Point of Water Using Salt
Q. #280         I4-19: Condensation of Steam – Soda Can Collapse

I5. Laws of Thermodynamics

I6. Kinetic Theory and Statistical Mechanics

I7. Solid State and Low Temperature Physics

J. Electrostatics and Magnetostatics

J1. Electrostatic Charge and Force

Q. #128        J1-01: Triboelectricity – Charging by Friction
Q. #190        J1-11: Electrophorus
Q. #129        J1-12: Induction – Electroscope

J2. Electrostatic Devices and Applications

Q. #181        J2-12: Franklin's Wheel – AC

J3. Electric Fields and Potential

Q. #178        J3-06: Ellipsoidal Conductor
Q. #186        J3-21: Faraday Cage
Q. #189        J3-22: Faraday Cage – Electroscope
Q. #130        J3-23: Faraday Cage – Radiowaves
Q. #187        J3-24: Hollow Conducting Sphere

J4. Capacitance and Polarization

Q. #125        J4-01: Parallel Plate Capacitor
Q. #28          J4-03: Parallel Plate Capacitor – Series Capacitors
Q. #183        J4-04: Parallel Plate Capacitor – Ionization of Air
Q. #131        J4-12: Electrostatic Force – Moving Lumber
Q. #110        J4-22: Parallel Plate Capacitor with Dielectric
Q. #243        J4-13: Matchstick On Nickle Under Glass

J5. Magnetostatics

Q. #83         J5-06: Magnet – Broken but No Monopole
Q. #329       J5-20: Oersted Experiment - Large Coil and Compass

J6. Electromagnets

J7. Magnetic Materials

K. Electromagnetic Principles

K1. Forces on Moving Charges

Q. #295        K1-02: Force Between Current-Carrying Wires - Projection
Q. #63          K1-05: Force Between Current-Carrying Coils
Q. #68          K1-11: Cathode Ray Tube – Deflection by Current
Q. #58          K1-12: Cathode Ray Tube – Deflection by Magnet
Q. #184        K1-31: Magnetohydrodynamic Generator
Q. #209        K1-41: Barlow's Disc

K2. Electromagnetic Induction

Q. #270        K2-27: Mutual Induction – M21 = M12 Measurement
Q. #121        K2-41: Lenz's Law – Rolling Rods
Q. #126        K2-42: Lenz's Law – Magnet in Aluminum Tube
Q. #170        K2-43: Lenz's Law – Permanent Magnet and Coils
Q. #136        K2-44: Eddy Current Pendulum
Q. #137        K2-44: Eddy Current Pendulum
Q. #138        K2-44: Eddy Current Pendulum
Q. #182        K2-61: Thomson's Coil
Q. #217        K2-64: Unipolar Generator
Q. #218        K2-64: Unipolar Generator
Q. #281        Current in coil
Q. #282        Current in coil

K3. Transformers

Q. #55          K3-06: Transformer – Primary Current vs Load

K4. Motors and Generators

Q. #36         K4-06: Magnetoelectric Generator with Capacitor
Q. #80         K4-08: Magnetoelectric Generator with Inductor
Q. #284       K4-51: Unipolar Motor

K5. Electrical Properties of Matter

Q. #191        K5-33: Conductivity of Salt Solution
Q. #197        K5-36: Resistors at LN Temperature – Light Bulb Indicator
Q. #198        K5-36: Resistors at LN Temperature – Light Bulb Indicator

K6. Electric Circuits and Instruments

Q. #27         K6-01: Series and Parallel Lights – Two Bulbs
Q. #21         K6-11: Circuit Paradoxes
Q. #22         K6-11: Circuit Paradoxes
Q. #60         K6-12: Series/Parallel Light Circuit Conundrum

K7. RLC Circuits

Q. #90         K7-03: Inductor Delaying a Lamp
Q. #91         K7-03: Inductor Delaying a Lamp
Q. #37         K7-05: Series Motor and Light Bulb Conundrum
Q. #120       K7-05: Series Motor and Light Bulb Conundrum
Q. #196       K7-05: Series Motor and Light Bulb Conundrum
Q. #74         K7-15: Current in RC Circuit
Q. #75         K7-15: Current in RC Circuit

K8. Electromagnetic Waves and Sources

Q. #253        K8-42: Radiowaves &ndash Lecher Wire Standing Waves
Q. #254        K8-42: Radiowaves – Lecher Wire Standing Waves
Q. #227        K8-32: Pulses in Transmission Lines
Q. #251        K8-42: Radiowaves – Energy and Dipole Pattern
Q. #252        K8-42: Radiowaves – Energy and Dipole Pattern
Q. #185        K8-45: Radio Waves from Spark

L. Geometrical Optics

Otto, and Other Assorted Questions in Geometrical Optics

Otto questions include examples with both lenses and mirrors; see background for Otto.

Q. #97         Otto
Q. #99         Otto
Q. #102       Otto
Q. #105       Otto
Q. #108       Otto
Q. #114       Otto
Q. #124       Otto
Q. #279       Otto

L1. Light Sources and Light Rays

Q. #235        L1-03: Light Bulb Without Vacuum
Q. #316        L1-11: Inverse Square Law - Light Bulb and Radiometer
Q. #302        L1-24: Pinhole TV Camera

L2. Plane Mirrors

Q. #18          L2-05: Perverted Image – Axes in Mirror
Q. #19          L2-07: Perverted Image – Light
Q. #168        Rear-View Mirror

L3. Curved Mirrors

Q. #211        L3-15: Rotating Liquid Mirror

L4. Refraction

Q. #288        L4-03: Refraction &ndash Rod in Water
Q. #100        L4-21: Snell's Law – Image Distortion
Q. #210        L4-22: Mirage – Laser and Hot Wire

L5. Total Internal Reflection

Q. #297        OTTO under glass cube
Q. #298        OTTO under glass cube

L6. Lenses

Q. #219        L6-04: Optical Board – Ray Diagram – Real Image from a Positive Lens
Q. #230        L6-06: Multiple Pinholes and Lens Recombination
Q. #113        L6-12: Magnifying Glass in Water
Q. #4            L6-13: Optical Board – Parallel Ray Focus
Q. #111        L6-14: Image of Convex Lens – With and Without Baffle
Q. #312        L6-51: Optical Board - Fresnel Lens
Q. #307        L6-54: Optically Programmed Traffic Signal - Model
Q. #313        Images for Farious Lenses

L7. Optical Instruments

Q. #124        L7-23: Galilean Telescope – TV
Q. #124        L7-25: Astronomical Telescope – TV
Q. #169        L7-33: Overhead Projector – Dissected
Q. #304        L7-41: Real Image - Mirror and Lens

M. Wave Optics

M1. Interference and Diffraction – Slits and Gratings

Q. #65          M1-11: Laser Diffraction – Fixed Double Slits
Q. #146        M1-15: Microwaves – Young's Double Slit Experiment

M2. Diffraction – Circular

Q. #293         Laser beam reflected off front and rear lens surfaces

M3. Interferometers

Q. #225         M3-02: Michelson Interferometer – White Light

M4. Thin Film Interference

M5. Interference and Diffraction Esoterica

M6. Holograms

M7. Linear Polarization and Scattering

Q. #15          M7-01: Microwaves – Polarization
Q. #233        M7-17: Reflection of Light from Dielectric and Conductor
Q. #234        M7-17: Reflection of Light from Dielectric and Conductor

M8. Optical Activity and Birefringence

Q. #287        M8-01: Polaroids and Karo Syrup

M9. Circular Polarization

N. Spectra and Color

N1. Continuous Spectra

Q. #246       N1-05: Spectra – Visible and Invisible
Q. #247       N1-05: Spectra – Visible and Invisible
Q. #248       N1-05: Spectra – Visible and Invisible
Q. #13         N1-09: Complementary Spectrum

N2. Line Spectra

N3. Color

Q. #192        N3-21: Additive Filters and Their Spectra
Q. #193        N3-22: Subtractive Filters and Their Spectra
Q. #194        N3-27: Negative Filters in Series

O. Vision

O1. Image Production

Q. #285         O1-01: Eye Model – Optics
Q. #286         O1-01: Eye Model – Optics
Q. #237         O1-03: Image Inversion on Retina
Q. #232         O1-23: Astigmatism – On-Axis

O2. Visual Latency

O3. Color Vision

Q. #300        O3-04: Greener than Green

O4. Optical Illusions

Q. #12          O4-06: Optics of a Glass Rod
Q. #205        O4-08: Green Tomato
Q. #51          O4-33: Impossible Triangle

P. Modern Physics

P1. Relativity

Q. #224         P1-02: Local Inertial Frame of Reference
Q. #226         P2-21: Einstein's Relativity Experiment

P2. Quantum Mechanics

Q. #250         P2-01: Photoelectric Effect and Planck's Constant
Q. #249         P2-02: Photoelectric Effect in Zinc – Arc Lamp
Q. #92           P2-21: Black Body Model
Q. #93           P2-22: Bichsel Boxes – Black Body Radiation
Q. #269         P2-61: Dirac String Trick
Q. #290         P2-51: Optical Analog of QM States and Operators
Q. #291         P2-51: Optical Analog of QM States and Operators
Q. #292         P2-51: Optical Analog of QM States and Operators

P3. Atoms and Molecules

P4. Nuclei and Particles

Q. #144         P4-01: Geiger Counter
Q. #267         P4-04: Cosmic Rays
Q. #268         P4-04: Cosmic Rays
Q. #195         P4-12: Exponential Decay – Water Model

Question of the Week Outreach Index Page Lecture-Demonstration Home Page

For questions and comments regarding the Question of the Week contact Dr. Richard E. Berg by e-mail or using phone number or regular mail address given on the Lecture-Demonstration Home Page.