Set up for Terminal Velocity demo
Steel Ball and Magnet

 

Code Number: 2C30.50

Demo Title: Terminal Velocity

Condition: Good

Principle: Viscosity

Area of Study: Fluids

Equipment: 

Tall Glass Cylinders (2), Vacuum Pump Oil, Water, Assorted ball, marbles, and BB's, and Dishwashing Detergent or Shampoo.

Procedure:

Place water in one of the cylinders and the pump oil in the other.  Light objects dropped into the oil should reach a definite terminal velocity which will not be apparent in a water column of the same height.  Do not try this with heavy objects as they may reach a velocity great enough to break the bottom of the glass column.  Dishwashing detergents and shampoos will work for this demonstration but you will want to chose only those in which you can see objects clearly.

References:

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