Hobby Physics

  A mechanical device demonstrates that an ellipse is a tilted slice through a cone.

  A classic design for a mist vortex is used to explore the basic principles of tornados and whirlpools.

A DIY scanning spectrometer and its applications are described, demonstrating 1 nanometer resolution over wavelengths from 360nm to 980nm.

  An apparatus that calculates sines and cosines helps understanding the properties of these important functions.

  An apparatus measures Planck's Constant using a photo-electric cell. The complications that limit its accuracy are discussed in detail.

  Inspired by demonstrations of Pendulum Waves, an apparatus was created that utilizes the same mathematics, using pistons driven by a hand crank, allowing the patterns to evolve forward, backward or be paused.

  An alternative to the Piston Wave Project uses rotating disks that show unique patterns. 

  A compact DIY centrifuge and camera system enables some interesting experiments for pendulum motion, buoyancy, pseudo-gravity and fluid flow.

  A DIY torsional pendulum measures the Universal Gravitational Constant G within a few % of the accepted value. 

The motion of a pendulum and a ball rolling in a circular track are compared with a DIY apparatus to better understand their unique use of energy.

A DIY low friction Air Track is used to explore the dynamics of elastic and inelastic 1D collisions,  comparing predictions with measured data. Introduction One of the fundamental concepts explored in introductory physics is the behavior of objects as they move in a straight line and how their interactions can alter direction and speed. Exploring such principles along one dimension greatly simplifies the math. To demonstrate concepts in 1D requires a straight track with negligible friction so that motion is sustained long enough for easy observation. Two methods are often used for low friction, namely free-rolling sleds, or sleds that float on a bed of pressurized air. The latter is called an Air Track, operating much like an air hockey game. It can also be a rather expensive apparatus. Typical concepts to explore are the conservation of energy and momentum in the absence of friction, which can be used to predict the trajectories after a collision.  An Air Track achieves low...