121 Plus 9 Physics Experiments

This may sound strange to you; you may have noticed that in some shops a mirror is placed behind that check-out counter? There’s no accounting for the manager’s sense of decor, unless of course she’s on the lookout for shoplifters.Things Required:Silver packaging wrapDirections:Turn on the lights in the room you’re in. Stretch the reflectanive sheet […]

Can you move a piece of paper in a glass without touching it? Impossible will be your answer, but by performing this easy experiment you can do it. This experiment also demonstrates the force of attraction between charged particles.Things Required:Modelling clayPush tackTissue paperScissorsClear plastic glassBalloon, small enough to hold in your handRuler Directions:Roll a dime-sized

“Come to me.”“Go that way. I command you.”“Turn in a circle.”Have you ever wished for a magic wand? You know the type. You can use it to command the movement of all sorts of objects. Well, in this activity, you’ll have a chance to build this type of wand. The “magic,” however, is hidden in

In good old days, all wrapping paper used to be made of paper. Nowadays, you can get wrapping material that is made of very thin plastic. Some of this plastic material has a reflective silver covering. Perhaps you’ve received a birthday gift wrapped in this reflective material? If so, what did you do with the

An electroscope is used to detect the presence of electric charges, to determine whether these charges are positive or negative, and to measure and indicate their intensity. By the help of this electroscope we will see the movement of electrons.Things Required:Aluminium foil, as thin as possibleGlass jar, 1 qt. (1 litre)Soft plastic lid to cover

“Never use an electric appliance while you are in the bathtub!”Although it is not a great conductor of electricity, water can easily conduct the current that flows from the power outlet of your home. The results are often deadly.What about static electricity? Can water interact with non-moving charges?Things Required:Plastic combPencilPlastic penA piece of woolSinkDirections:Turn on

Fun house mirrors can reflect some pretty strange images. Look into one mirror and your body might appear 10 feet tall. Walk in front of another mirror and you might look as if you didn’t have a mid-section. These kinds of distortions are produced by curves.Things Required:Shiny metal tablespoonDirections:Hold up a shiny metal tablespoon. Note

In this experiment, we will use simple material which is easily available in every home to charge an object with static electricity.Things Required:Comb, Tissue paper, Scissors, RulerDirections:Cut a strip of tissue paper about 3 inches × 10 inches (7.5 cm × 25 cm). Cut long, thin strips in the paper, leaving one end uncut (see

Here is a net experiment that you can perform using your television-set.Things Required:Television-set or computer monitorA sheet of paper Directions:Switch on the television-set. Roll up your shirt sleeve. Place your forearm against the television screen. Do you hear anything? Do you feel anything? Slowly, move your arm across the screen. What happens now?Tear up a

A kaleidoscope is a toy that uses reflected images to produce great patterns. Would you like to see how one works? Just follow these instructions.Things Required:Three small plastic mirrors (with frames removed)TapeWax paperPair of scissorsRubber bandSeveral small and transparent coloured beadsDirections:Arrange the mirrors to form a triangular viewing tube. The reflecting sides of the mirrors

The aim of this easy experiment is to determine which battery terminal is positive.Things Required:Aluminium foilD-cell batteryPotato2 paper clips2 penniesSteel woolMasking tapeScissors1 push tack Directions:Cut a piece of aluminium foil 24 inches × 12 inches (60 cm × 30 cm). Fold the aluminium piece in half lengthwise five times to form a thin strip 24

So far, you’ve learnt that paper sticks well to both combs and walls. But do you know you can move a rolled-up piece of paper by static attraction? Here’s how.Things Required:PaperPair of scissorsTapeCombWoolDirections:Cut out a strip of paper about 1 inch wide and 4 inches long. Roll the paper into a cylinder and secure its

Reflections can be confusing, especially when you are trying to find your way out of a funhouse in fetes or circus. No matter where you look, a never-ending series of reflections look back. Only by feeling for an opening can you navigate through this maze of mirrors? In this experiment, you’ll build a much smaller,

The galvanometer is an instrument for measuring small electric currents by the deflection of a moving coil. In this experiment, we will make a galvanometer and determine if an electric current affects a magnet.Things Required:Aluminium foil, 1 yd. (1 m)CompassCardboard box to fit the compassScissorsD-cell batteryDirections:Cut a piece of aluminium about 36 inches × 24

The magician covers a box with a silk scarf. Slowly, she raises the box into the air. While holding the covered box, she suddenly flicks her wrist. The scarf goes limp and the box disappears. How did she do it? We’re not telling, but we do have a magical activity that also produces a phantom