2B60.30 - Siphons, Self Starting Siphons, & Tantalus Cups | Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations - Department of Physics & Astronomy

Code Number: 2B60.30

Demo Title: Siphons, Self Starting Siphons, & Tantalus Cups

Condition: Good

Principle: Pressure vs. Water Height

Area of Study: Fluids

Equipment:

Skimit Magic Siphon, Homemade Glass Siphon, and Siphon with Squeeze Bulb.

Procedure:

Fill the Plexiglas cube nearly to the top with water. The homemade glass and the Skimit siphons are self starting. Insert and hang these on the edge of the Plexiglas cube. The siphon flow will start automatically.

The bulb siphon uses vacuum to draw the liquid up into the tube. The bulb may have to be squeezed several times to get the liquid to the proper height.

The Tantalus or Pythagorean cups are nothing more than self starting siphons. Very cool but watch out, you will get wet if you aren't careful!!

We have a variety of relaxation oscillators available. Look at these webpages:

3A95.10 - Relaxation Oscillators

6-00.00 - Stroboscope (we have small variable frequency strobe lights available).

2B60.30 - Tantalus Cups

3D32.15 - Stadium Horn

4C30.25 - Geyser

4C31.30 - Drinking Bird

4C31.37 - Franklin's Pulse Glass Engine

5A40.70 - Kelvin Water Dropper

5F30.60 - Relaxation Oscillators - Neon Bulb, Doorbell, and Strobe Lights

10A06.10 - Relaxation Oscillators

13A10.10 - Perpetual Motion

References:

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Robert Ehrlich, "6.6, Maximum Height of a Siphon", Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 104.
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R. W. Pohl, "(3)", Physical Principles of Mechanics and Acoustics, p. 182.
R. W. Pohl, "Relaxation Oscillations", Physical Principles of Mechanics and Acoustics, p. 228.
Charles Vivian, "Make a Simple Siphon", Science Experiments & Amusements For Children, p. 45.
Martin Gardner, "10, The Mysterious Siphon", Smart Science Tricks, p. 22.
Martin Gardner, "Self-Starting Siphon", Entertaining Science Experiments with Everyday Objects, p. 112.
Jearl Walker, "2.41, Siphons and Toilets", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 99.
Christopher P. Jargodzki and Franklin Potter. "107, The Siphon", Mad About Physics, p. 38, 182.
Nail A. Downie, "16, A Symphony of Siphons", Vacuum Bazookas, Electric Rainbow Jelly, p. 134.
Tik L. Liem, "The Self-Priming Siphon", Invitations to Science Inquiry - Supplement to 1st and 2nd Ed. p. 32.
Francisco Vera, Rodrigo Rivera, Diego Romero-Maltrana, Jaime Villanueva, "Negative Pressures and the First Water Siphon Taller than 10.33 Meters", PLOS ONE, April 7, 2016.
Joseph Frick, "#104 - The Siphon", Physical Technics: Or, Practical Instructions for Making Experiments in Physics and the Construction of Physical Apparatus with the Most Limited Means", p. 124.
"Tantalus Cup", Pike's Illustrated Catalogue of Scientific & Medical Instruments, 1984, p. 232.
The Queen Catalogues Vol. II, Catalogue of Physical Instruments, No. 4204, p. 24.
The Queen Catalogues Vol. II, Catalogue of Physical Instruments, No. 4209, p. 24.