Code Number: 1M10.10

Demo Title: Ball or Block on a Shelf

Condition: Good

Principle: Work

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment:

Plexiglas Boxes and Tennis Balls or Blocks.

Procedure:

Stack the Plexiglas boxes so you have shelves of equal heights. Place the tennis balls on the shelves and discuss how the amount of work done on each ball depends on the height of the shelf it was placed on.

References:

Scott Hertting, "Energy Blocks - A Physical Model for Teaching Energy Concepts", TPT, Vol. 54, #1, Jan. 2016, p. 31.
Borislaw Bilash II and David Maiullo, "Work is Going My Way", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 78.

Disclaimer

These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.

Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

1M10.10 - Ball or Block on a Shelf

Disclaimer