Phases of the Moon
This Teaching Astronomy and Space video, from the Institute of Physics (IOP), Teachers TV and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), illustrates a simple demonstration of the phases of the Moon. Using a light source and a small ball, the Moon's phases can be seen by a central observer representing the Earth.…
The Seasons: Light Intensity and Latitude
This Teaching Astronomy and Space video clip, from the Institute of Physics (IOP), Teachers TV and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), shows a simple demonstration to explain why regions at the equator are hotter than regions nearer the Earth's north and south poles. Using a lamp and a board, it is easy…
Cooking Up a Comet
This Teaching Astronomy and Space video clip, from the Institute of Physics (IOP), Teachers TV and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), shows how a range of ingredients can be used to make a material in the classroom that is the similar to the solid head of a comet. The clip shows how mixing water, silicates (sand)…
Particle Physics
The Particle Physics Project was made possible by funding from the Institute of Physics and support from the Centre for Science Education at the Open University. The project devised a pack of resources to help teachers and learners to engage with one of the most dramatic areas of modem physics: the search for fundamental particles.…
Waterproof Hanky
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a short demonstration which illustrates the power of water's surface tension and the push of atmospheric air pressure. All that is needed is a cloth handkerchief, a glass and some water. The teachers' notes include the equipment needed, tips and contain…
Straw Oboes
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a noisy, amusing demonstration of the physics of music. Using a drinking straw, it is possible to make a vibrating 'reed' similar to ones found in wind instruments. It can take a bit of practice to get exactly right, but it is well worth the effort.…
Tame Tornado
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a good visual demonstration of forces, and in particular vortices. This demonstration does require a specialised adapter, but it is readily available and the demonstration is striking. The initial small rotation caused by spinning the bottles gains speed as…
The Power of Words
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video gives a short demonstration which uses a rule and a sheet of newspaper to show just how much force air pressure can exert, especially when it acts over a large area. The teachers' notes include the equipment needed, tips and contain a full explanation of the…
Potato Straw
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a short demonstration. Could you push a plastic straw into a potato? Try doing it slowly and the drinking straw will bend and crush. Be bold and do it quickly and the straw will penetrate the potato due to the instantaneous force and pressure. Watch the video…
Magical Match
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a short demonstration in which the uneven contraction of a match causes it to bend. This is the same type of uneven expansion and contraction that is common in many thermostats that contain a bimetallic strip. The teacher notes include the equipment needed, tips…
One in the Hand
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a short demonstration which shows how force applied over a large area will not break an egg. The shape of an egg is actually one of the strongest designs possible. The curved structure means that applying pressure to any particular area actually spreads the…
Lager Lamp
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a short demonstration which is a twist on the lava lamp activity. Watch nuts rise and fall in lager (or any other fizzy drink) as they form bubbles on their surface, and float, before releasing the bubbles at the surface and sinking back down. This demonstration…
Lifting Lemon
Produced by the Institute of Physics, the demonstration in this Physics to Go video shows a slice of lemon, floating on water, mysteriously rising in an empty glass. A range of processes are all working to give the effect: air pressure, expansion and contraction of gases and change in gas composition. To get the video to play,…
Extra Bounce
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows an experiment which looks at conservation of energy and momentum. Drop each ball separately and they do not bounce very high. Drop the small ball and large ball together, with the small ball on top, and most of the momentum from both balls is transferred to the…
Erupting Fizz
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a short demonstration shows how mixing a carbonated drink, some salt and an effervescent tablet produces some interesting effects when the liquids' densities are modified. The teachers' notes include a list of the equipment needed, tips and a full…
Egg-citing Physics
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a short demonstration which demonstrates momentum by spinning hard-boiled and uncooked eggs. The raw egg is filled with liquid whereas the hard boiled egg is effectively a solid. The hard boiled egg is easier to spin since the entire egg starts spinning at…
Cloud in a Bottle
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a short demonstration that can be used to show water condensation as a 'cloud' forms inside a plastic bottle. Clouds are formed when water droplets in the air cool and then collect on dust particles. In this demonstration, the dust particles are provided…
Cartesian Diver
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a classic demonstration which helps to develop understanding about how pressure can influence the volume, and therefore density, of a gas. The Cartesian diver demonstration also links in with the understanding of density, floating and sinking. The teachers'…
Bernoulli Balls
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a short demonstration in which a ball is kept in the air using only a hairdryer. The upward pressure from the hairdryer balances the downward force of gravity, keeping the ball 'levitating'. The more impressive part of this trick is being able to move…
Balloon Kebabs
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a short demonstration which aims to develop an understanding of surface properties. A balloon is formed by inserting air into a flexible thin rubber sheet. Most of the balloon is stretched evenly, but there are two points where the rubber is least stretched…
Amazing Marshmallows
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this video shows a simple demonstration to stimulate discussion on gas pressures and gas laws. A vacuum wine saver pump and stopper are used to reduce the air pressure in a bottle,causing the air inside marshmallows in the bottle to expand and the sweets to swell. The teachers' notes…
Alka-Seltzer Rocket
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this Physics to Go video shows a demonstration of how the idea of pressure can be shown using just a 35mm film canister, some water and an effervescent tablet. When water is added to the effervescent tablet, bubbles of carbon dioxide gas are given off. When the lid is fitted tightly to the…
4/5- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Video
Physics to Go Guidance
From the Institute of Physics, the Physics to Go pack contains everything needed to put on a successful physics event. This resource contains advice and guidance on the following: General advice An introduction to running physics-related events for public audiences, including: • What's it all about? • Tips and…
Photoelectric Effect
Produced by the National STEM Centre and the Institute of Physics, this video demonstrates how to use a gold-leaf electroscope, zinc plate and an ultraviolet light source. The zinc plate is placed onto the top of the electroscope and it is given a negative charge. The electroscope can be discharged when ultraviolet light is shone…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Video
Signal Generator
Produced by the National STEM Centre and the Institute of Physics, this video demonstrates the use of a signal generator to illustrate waves and sound. The video shows how features such as frequency, amplitude and wave form can be demonstrated using a loudspeaker and an oscilloscope.
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Video
Electric Motor
Produced by the National STEM Centre and the Institute of Physics, this video shows a simple method for making an electric motor using a battery, strong magnets and a copper coil. It allows students to investigate Fleming's left hand rule and the forces generated in an electric motor.
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Video
Electromagnetic Induction
Produced by the National STEM Centre and the Institute of Physics, this video demonstrates the process of electromagnetic induction. The video shows a simple piece of equipment that can readily be made which contains spinning magnets, a wire coil and a lamp. Spinning the magnets past the coil produces an electric current and…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Video
Fire Piston
Produced by the National STEM Centre and the Institute of Physics, this video demonstrates how compressing a gas increases its temperature. A small piece of cotton wool is placed into the bottom of a narrow plastic tube. When the air is rapidly compressed by a piston, the air temperature increases and the cotton ignites. The…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Video
Oscilloscope
Produced by the National STEM Centre and the Institute of Physics, this video demonstrates how to use an oscilloscope to measure potential differences that vary with time. The clip shows how to set up the oscilloscope and explains how the vertical displacement corresponds to a potential difference. The horizontal scan can be…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Video
Bin-bag Capacitor
Produced by the National STEM Centre and the Institute of Physics, this video shows how two metal foil sheets and a bin-bag can be used to show how a capacitor works. The metal foil acts as the plates and the bin-bag as the dielectric. The model capacitor can be charged and discharged as well as demonstrating what happens if…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Video
Brownian Motion
Produced by the National STEM Centre and the Institute of Physics, this video illustrates how to show the movement of particles by Brownian motion. Instead of using the traditional smoke cell, the video shows how Brownian motion can be observed in a suspension containing micrometre diameter polystyrene spheres. Using a microscope…
Career Clips: Energy Efficiency and Architecture
From the Institute of Physics, this six minute film showcases the use of physics in the design of energy-efficient buildings. It follows the work of an architect's office and shows how an understanding of heat transfer and thermal insulation is applied in the design of modern buildings. In addition to illustrating the careers…