Harvard Natural Sciences Lecture Demonstrations: Home
Mission Statement
We provide visual demonstrations for a wide variety of topics to supplement lectures in physics, chemistry, astronomy, and biology. Our lecture demonstrations have two important purposes: to increase student understanding of the concepts demonstrated, and to increase student enjoyment of class. Natural Science Lecture Demonstrations consists of a team of physicists and chemists who develop, construct, and present demonstrations for lectures in the Science Center building. Working with members of faculty and testing our skills in machining, electronics, and dazzling imagery, we aim to clarify and enhance the scientific concepts presented in lecture with visible, memorable, and sometimes mind-blowing effects.
About the Catalog
This website is an ongoing project to create a comprehensive
library of physics demonstrations, simulations, videos, and other
useful resources available at the Harvard Science Center.
Having evolved from "The Demonstrative Physicist's
Companion," a handbook begun in 1990 by W. Rueckner and S. Steel,
this website goes far beyond a compilation of all the
demonstrations in our current repertoire.
Included in the table of contents at the left are ten topic sections relating to particular areas of physics. Each topic section is further divided into sub-sections in which the demonstrations are listed. You may find browsing through these sections helpful to get ideas for your lecture, but even more helpful is the ability to search the catalog with key words so that you needn't rely on our categorization or cross-referencing schemes to find what fits your needs.
It is our intention to make this site as useful as possible. Any suggestions from you, the user, are greatly appreciated. If you found a demonstration listed for which you wished there was an "in-depth" description, let us know. You can contact us by the various methods listed at the bottom of this website.
Included in the table of contents at the left are ten topic sections relating to particular areas of physics. Each topic section is further divided into sub-sections in which the demonstrations are listed. You may find browsing through these sections helpful to get ideas for your lecture, but even more helpful is the ability to search the catalog with key words so that you needn't rely on our categorization or cross-referencing schemes to find what fits your needs.
It is our intention to make this site as useful as possible. Any suggestions from you, the user, are greatly appreciated. If you found a demonstration listed for which you wished there was an "in-depth" description, let us know. You can contact us by the various methods listed at the bottom of this website.
Search the Catalog
What's New
Vibrating String
A 1.5m length of string driven at one end and fixed at the other shows standing waves for various driving frequencies. Read more...
Paramagnetism of Oxygen
A large magnet with a small cylindrical gap allows a stream of liquid nitrogen to pass over and through. Poured liquid oxygen hangs between the poles in the strong field until it boils away. Read more...
Synchronization of Metronomes
The "tick-tocks" of five metronomes will come into synchronization when weakly coupled together. Read more...
Swim Bladder Neutral Bouyancy
The problem of maintaining buoyancy with a swim bladder is vividly demonstrated with a small goldfish in a 5-gallon water carboy. Read more...
Erector Spinae Muscle Forces
Ever hurt yourself lifting something heavy? This demonstration shows the tension acting on the erector spinae muscles when you stoop over to lift something.
Featured Demo
Contact Us
Mailing Address: Lecture Demonstration Services, Science
Center, Rm B-08A, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Campus Location: Science Center B-08A | Tel: (617) 495-5824 | Email: scidemos-at-fas.harvard.edu
Campus Location: Science Center B-08A | Tel: (617) 495-5824 | Email: scidemos-at-fas.harvard.edu