Physics Demonstrations
Demonstrations can be engaging and fun for students, providing the motivation to learn. For non specialist teachers, it can be a challenge to ensure that the explanation that accompanies a demonstration develops the students' understanding of concepts in physics. This list of resources contains ideas for a range of physics demonstrations with clear explanations of the scientific concepts and practical tips on how to use the equipment confidently and safely.
Visit the practical work page to access all resources and lists focussing on practical work in secondary science: www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/sciencepracticals
Physics Demonstration Films
There are sixteen videos in this collection explaining how some of the physics equipment found in most schools can be used successfully in demonstrations. Each video shows how to set up the equipment, together with tips on how to make sure the demonstration works and clear explanations of any risks involved. At each stage of the demonstration the presenters provide step by step instructions and a clear explanation of the physics, making this an invaluable resource for NQTs and non-physics specialists.
Demonstrating physics - radiation
In this Teachers TV video, David Richardson from the Institute of Education shows how to handle radioactive sources safely, and carry out effective experiments in the classroom.
David shows a range of experiments using alpha, beta and gamma ionising radiation, and supporting animations help explain what is happening on an atomic level. David also gives some suggestions for starter activities to help engage students.
Cannon Fire Demonstration
In this video Simon Quinnell, from the Science Learning Centre, describes a noisy and spectacular demonstration to illustrate energy changes. Clear instructions are given with a full explanation of the science.
Hard to Teach - Electric Circuits
These demonstrations help students improve their understanding of electric circuits. Included is The Big Circuit, a demonstration using a simple battery and a bulb set up with much longer wires than usual
Demonstrating Physics - Forces
This video shows David Richardson from the Institute of Physics helping a teacher improve his physics demonstrations to include a little mystery and excitement. Demonstrations include: Lemonade bottles filled with water containing tomato ketchup sachets which act like Cartesian divers, marshmallows in a wine bottle expanding while the air is pumped out of the bottle to demonstrate the effect of air pressure, surprising ways of showing turning moments and the effects of gravity Floating and sinking.
Thermal Conductivity
These demonstrations can form the introduction to a structured development of ideas about energy transfers between objects at different temperatures. Ice cubes are placed on metal and plastic blocks; the cube placed on metal melts much more quickly than the cube placed on plastic. This is counterintuitive (for many students) because metals feel cold while plastics feel warm
Demonstrating Physics - Electrostatics
If you worry about using the Van de Graaff generator with students, this Teachers TV video shows how to use it with confidence and to great effect. David Richardson, from the Institute of Physics, explains a number of electrostatic demonstrations. David explains what can be done with the generator and what shouldn't be done. He also shows some of his favourite demonstrations at the end of the video and explains how he uses them to convey concepts to students.
Demonstrating Redshift
This video shows a great way of demonstrating redshift to 14-16 year old students. Red- and blue-shifting of light is a difficult idea to grasp without a visual aid. This demonstration is a practical way of explaining the idea of light changing when the emitter is moving relative to the observer.
Practical physics
This website has about 800 physics experiments and demonstrations which are grouped into twelve topic areas for ease of use. For each topic the activities progress from introductory level to more complex experiments, and there is useful guidance for teachers.
Models of the Solar System
There are two simple demonstrations shown at the end of this Teachers TV video which can be used to show the phases of the moon and to explain how axial tilt causes seasonal weather.
The beginning of the video is a very good classroom resource which uses modelling and animation to explain how astronomers have developed our understanding of the solar system through observation.
Forty Science Demonstrations
A group of science teachers in Nebraska have made this list of their favourite demonstrations. This list could be shared with your technicians, who will be able to assess which ones work well and adapt them to suit the equipment you have available and your SOW. Risk assessments are not provided on the site and so the demonstrations will need to be assessed for safety.