Bead Strings in a beaker
Bead Strings coming out of a beaker
fan motor, pulley, a continuous loop of chain on a stand
fan motor, pulley, a continuous loop of chain, person pointing to demo with a dowel
person using a dowel to point to a chain on a white background
Dynabrolly apparatus, power supply on a table
Dynabrolly apparatus, power supply on a table in use
 

 

Code Number: 1F30.20

Demo Title: Inertia of Motion - Standing Pulse - Chain

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Inertia

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment: 

Bead Strings, Glass Beaker, and Dynabrolly Apparatuses.

Procedure:

See also: 3B10.25 in Oscillations/Acoustics.

Try to pull the end of the chain rapidly out of the beaker with a slight upward arcing motion.  As the chain falls out of the beaker onto the floor the arc should be maintained by the motion of the chain.

The fan motor and pulley version uses a continuous loop of chain.  Turn the fan onto the medium setting.  Use the 1/2 inch PVC rod to modify the shape of the rotating loop.  Notice how the chain will retain this modified shape, twist, or loop for a considerable period of time.  The other Dynabrolly unit is just a horizontal version.

References:

  • J. Pantaleone and R. Smith, "A Bullet-Block Experiment that Explains the Chain Fountain", TPT, Vol. 56, #5, May 2018, p. 294.
  • Wojtek Dindorf, "Tiny Chain Fountain", TPT, Vol. 54, #5, May 2016, p. 320.
  • Dan MacIsaac, "Understanding the Chain Fountain", TPT, Vol. 54, #5, May 2016, p. 318.
  • Y. K. Vijay, "Mechanical Oscillations in a Circular Loop", AJP, Vol. 64, #8, Aug. 1996, p. 1077.
  • James Gorman, "A Startling Video, Explained", The New York Times, 03/04/2014.
  • Niel A. Dowie, "2. Dynabrolly", Vacuum Bazookas, Electric Rainbow Jelly and 27 Other Saturday Science Projects, p. 14 - 20.
  • Educational Innovations, "Polymer Bead Demo".
  • Theodore Foster, "On the g/2 Acceleration of a Pulse in a Vertical Chain", TPT, Vol. 51, October 2013, p. 394.

James Gorman, "A Startling Video, Explained", The New York Times, 03/04/2014 (subscription required)

1F30.15 - Inertia of Motion - Chain