natural sciences
lecture demonstrations
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Geophysics

  1. Structure of the Earth
    • Earth Globes. Geopolitical and sectioned Globes. (m) (T)
    • Rock Samples Selection of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. (s) (T) **
    • Crystal Models. All the classics.  (s/m) (T)
    • Topological Map of Oceans. 1m x 2m Mercator projection with ocean floor detail. (l) (T)
    • Seismic Wave Refraction Total internal refraction of laser beam through sugar solution with refractive index gradient; representative of seismic waves through Earth's mantle. (m) (T++) ***
    • Earth's Magnetic Field OHP representation of lines of force using bar magnet and iron filings. (s) (T) **
    • Centrifugal Eggbeater Spinning frame that demonstrates equatorial bulge (oblateness). (m) (T) ***
    • Coriolis Effect As demonstrated by two people throwing a volleyball to each other while sitting on rotating platform. (xl) (T+) ***
  2. The Atmosphere
    • Mercury Barometer. Column of mercury in glass tube, supported by atmosphere. (m) (T++)
    • Golf Ball Atmosphere Kinetic theory model showing pressure as molecular bombardment; uses golf balls instead of air. (l) (T) ***
    • 55 Gallon Drum Drum evacuated by vacuum pump; crushed by atmospheric pressure. (l) (T+) ***
    • Convection Cell Simulation of atmospheric convection using thin cell containing a rheoscopic fluid and a heater. (s/m) (T+) *
    • Cloud in a Bottle and Nucleation. A 5-gallon bottle containing air and water vapor is slightly pressurized; a sudden release of the pressure cools the vapor, forming a cloud. (m) (T)
    • Smog in a Bottle Nitrogen dioxide is produced by an electric discharge in air and, when sprayed with a water mist, produces acid rain. (m) (T+) ***
    • Greenhouse Bottles Simulation of the greenhouse effect with silvered and unsilvered glass bottles. (s) (T+) **
    • Polarization by Scattering Simulation of atmospheric scattering and polarization of sunlight using slide projector and aquarium containing milky water. (m) (T+) ***
    • 20% Oxygen. Air is shown to be 20% oxygen by burning magnesium in a glass cylinder inverted over water. (m) (T++)
    • Giant Raindrop. Large water filled plastic raindrop shows by laser light the optics of rainbow making. (m) (T+)
    • Van de Graaff Generator. Generation of large static charges; instant indoor lightning! (l) (T+)