121 Plus 9 Physics Experiments

Let’s be critical. Fill a plastic bag full of water. Seal the bag and listen through it by placing your ear against its surface. Which type of matter did the sound have to travel through in order to reach your ear?solid; b) liquid; c) gasIf you answered “liquid,” you’re only partially correct. The sound was

The purpose of this easy experiment is to determine how the buoyancy of a substance can be changed.Things Required:Drinking glassClub sodaModelling clay Directions:Fill the drinking glass three-quarters full with soda. Immediately, add 5 tiny balls of clay one at a time. The clay pieces must be about the size of a rice grain. Wait and

Alarm systems are great, especially the high-tech ones that detect an intruder by the heat he or she gives off. In this experiment, you’ll get to construct an alarm device and use it to assemble a circuit.Things Required:Two connecting wires with each end stripped 1½ inches bare of insulationSimple buzzer circuit10 inch × 3 inch

In order to produce sound, you need something to vibrate. Matter is that something. It’s the “stuff’ that the universe is made of. But will all matter transmit sound? Are there only certain particles that can pass these sound waves along? Let’s find out.Things Required:Three plastic sealable bagsSand (sugar or flour can be substituted) waterCoin

You may have seen large ships made of metal or other materials floating in water instead of sinking, In this experiment, we are going to find out how a heavy ship floats.Things Required:20 paper clipsAluminium foilRulerBucket of waterDirections:Cut two 12 inches (30 cm) squares from the aluminium foil. Wrap one of the metal squares around

It’s time for a break. Instead of resting, however, you get to assemble a simple circuit. This working circuit will be used in several of the following experiments. Right now, you need to find the components, making sure they match up, and assemble the circuit correctly.Things Required:Buzzer or bicycle horn (1.5-volt or 3-volt device)One or

Place your palm about 1 foot in front of your mouth. Count from one to ten. As you count, slowly bring your palm closer to your mouth. Most likely, by the time you reach “five” you’ll feel the sound waves as they strike your hand. Now keep you palm about 6 inches from your mouth.

Why do bubbles rise in liquids? This is what we are going to find out.Things Required:Large-mouthed jar, 1 gal. (4 litre)Clear plastic tubing, 20 inches (50 cm)Small balloonDirections:Fill the jar with water. Place one end of the clear plastic tubing in the water at the bottom of the jar. Inflate the balloon and twist the

Have you ever been to a party that was lit up by the strings of overhead lights? Sets of these lights hang as holiday or patio decorations. As you may have observed, some of these light sets are hooked up in a special way. When one bulb goes out, the others remain lit! This way

Have you ever removed the front cloth or grill covering of a speaker cabinet? If so, you exposed the sound-pushing surface of the speaker. Turn on the stereo and the speakers vibrate back and forth. The louder the sound, the greater the movement. In this experiment, you’ll construct a device that will also move with

How salt affects buoyancy? In this experiment, we will try to understand this phenomenon.Things Required:Large-mouthed jar, 1 gal. (4 litre)Small bottle with a lid table salt, 2 cupsMeasuring cup, 1 cup (250 ml)Large stirring spoonDirections:Fill the jar three-quarters full of water. Carefully place the closed small bottle in the water. It should float on the

Have you ever tested old batteries in a 2-cell torch? If so, you know that both of the cells need to be working. If one cell has leaked, the torch won’t work. No matter how strong the other cell is, if one cell is bad the light won’t go on. That’s because the electricity needed

If you have seen some war movies, you must have felt an on-screen explosion? If so, you know that sound can be a moving experience. Do you remember which sounds shook you the most? Was it the high-pitched whirls or the booming low pitches? While you are remembering, here’s a smaller-scale rumbling (but one that’s

The purpose of this easy experiment is to determine how metals affect a magnetic field.Things Required:Aluminium foilSteel spatulaBar magnet4 small paper clipsDirections:Lay the paper clips on a table and cover them with a sheet of aluminium foil. Set the magnet on the foil over the clips. Raise the magnet and observe any movement of the