Pasco rotator, rotating air table, accelerometer
liquid forming a parabola on a rotator device
mechanical rotator setup for water parabola demo
rotating air table with water parabola demo setup
green liquid in a container, a ruler measuring depth
water parabola in a container

 

Code Number: 1D52.20

Demo Title: Central Forces - Water Parabola

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Forces Due To Circular Motion

Area of Study: Mechanics, Fluids

Equipment: 

Accelerometer, Rotating Air Table, Mechanical Rotator, Rolling Car.

Procedure:

The Pasco rotator with the 1" wide accelerometer container can be controlled very nicely to the desired rotation rate.

Attach the accelerometer to either the rotating air table or the mechanical rotator. The liquid will form a parabola as it is rotated. Attach the accelerometer to a rolling car. As you accelerate the car the liquid will gather in a wave at the back of the accelerometer, its height being a function of the acceleration.

References:

  • Erlend H. Graf, "Apparatus for the Study of Uniform Circular Motion in a Liquid", TPT, Vol. 35, #7, Oct. 1997, p. 427.
  • J. Harris and A. Ahlgren, "Some Simple Experiments and Demonstrations", TPT, Vol. 4, #7, Oct. 1966, p. 314.
  • Mm - 8: Freier and Anderson,  A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • "D25: Uniform Circular Motion", Concepts in Motion, The Project Physics Course - Teachers Resource Book, p. 67.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "F.1, Spinning a Water-Filled Cylinder", Turning the World Inside Out, p. 66- 67.
  • Robert, Ehrlich, "Why Toast Lands Jelly Side Down", Zen and the Art of Physics Demonstrations, p. 50-52, 57-58.
  • "Water Spinner", Exploratorium Science Snackbook.
1D52.20 - Water Parabola