Physics Demonstration Films

@polway I'm sure there are good demos for optics, but I regret to say we've not yet filmed any apart from laser diffraction, which I suppose isn't quite 'optics'.

The biggest issue for us is that video cameras like lots of light and optics pracs... don't. The lighting for the electron diffraction tube film took us a heap of time to get right; hopefully nobody watching the film notices, but the experience was enough to steer us away from optics for the next batch of films (coming soon!).

However, a new camera gives us a bit more flexibility, so I'm happy to take optics as a request for a future batch of films. Any more requests from anyone? Areas people think are under-served, specific demos they'd like to see, hints and tips they think we might cover?

are there any good demonstrations for optics?

Thank you for all the positive comments. We hope to make more of these films later this year. Please feel free to suggest what other demonstrations you'd like to see. We'd also welcome any suggestions you may have about how we can make any aspect of the films better for your use. Thanks again.

These videos are ideal. The key for me is that they are “real world” in that they use equipment which most schools should/can have. It is easy to make whizzy demos with a multi-million £ warp core and flux capacitor. Also they are achievable bite sized stand alone activities which can be slotted in as and when.
Importantly, they are also beneficial at different levels, as time and ability allows. If all else fails, the class can be shown the video clip, when possible the teacher can complete the demo and the most desirable of all is using the clip as a launch pad for students to undertake the work.
Just what busy teachers need to encourage them to dust off a bit of kit and do something a little different.

The power lines video is really good - including a link to this is the latest upd8/wikid activity. It will be in a unit called Rich, sequence Microgrid.

Electron Diffraction Tube - I will use this with my Advanced Higher students as we don't have the equipment in school. The video is very clear and helpful - thanks.

Good set of videos. I really liked the jelly bean wave machine - the kids would enjoy making one but it wouldn't last until the next time!!!
I also was not aware of the different roller materials for the V de G so thanks for that.

An excellent set of videos which will be of great use in the classroom. Thank you Alom and co!

Thanks for the positive words, everyone - it's extremely gratifying to know that these films are finding use. ...which isn't to say we don't welcome criticism, of course. There are several things we want to do differently if/when we make more, and your input is incredibly valuable.

David, you're absolutely right - I've goofed on an end credit on the VdG film; will try to get it sorted.

I should write more about the thinking behind the 'teacher' vs. 'students' films. The preference of everyone involved is to help teachers present demonstrations in their own classrooms, but we're trying to cater for a range of circumstances and confidence levels. One thing we need to think about is how we convey the wider goals of the project; it's useful to know that we've not yet got that right.

I think these videos are excellent and well worth using and well worth extending further. I think the ones aimed at teachers are particularly good, but for some of those aimed at students I would ask whether it wouldn't be better for the teacher to do the demo themself, perhaps having watched the teacher's video first. Of course some demos need kit that not everyone has access to, but others use kit that everyone must surely have.

One minor typo I noticed is that the VdG demo shows Aloma as the presenter, when in fact I think it is Michael.

My AS-level physics class made the jelly baby wave machine and had an absolutely fantastic time doing so. They really enjoyed the lesson, and they appreciated the physics and the elegant beauty of the model. They we're so proud of themselves and they all took iphone videos of the wave in motion

Very many thanks for making this available.

Really impressive set of films - and I hope they are commissioning you to do lots more. Specific comments: Diffraction of laser - excellent demo, very well shot and explained, but how about a diagram or cartoon to explain the interference pattern. EHT Electron diffraction - again great filming and presentation, but a diagram would help. Incidently earthing the EHT makes it more dangerous! it is better to have the EHT 'floating', then if you inadvertently touch any of it you just earth it at that point with your body. Power Lines - really clear, and with really important safety tips. When I started at my school the technicians used to set this up for teachers using a 12v ac supply and 20 times step up! They used to stand in the lab with a broom in case the teacher touched the unshrouded 240Vac lines. Casual use of transformers can easily kill. If you were adding to the explanation, it would be good to explain about the same power at higher voltage gives less current, and this is why there is much less loss. We want more of these films please

A great resource which I am recommending to all my contacts.

Great films, very useful to have this kind of resource to hand - and we're one of the lucky schools with specialist physics teachers. Registered so I could download the films and add them to SOWs. Thanks to all involved.