Resources by StoryCog

Bin-bag capacitor

This video shows how two metal foil sheets and a bin-bag can be used to show how a capacitor works. The metal foil acts as the plates and the bin-bag as the dielectric. The model capacitor can be charged and discharged as well as demonstrating what happens if a capacitor's working voltage is exceeded.

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Brownian motion

This video illustrates how to show the movement of particles by Brownian motion. Instead of using the traditional smoke cell, the video shows how Brownian motion can be observed in a suspension containing micrometre diameter polystyrene spheres. Using a microscope and video camera, students can observe the motion...

Diffraction of laser light

In these short videos, Michael de Podesta explains how a laser can be used to show the diffraction and interference of light. Using a laser pen in the classroom, the wave nature of light is demonstrated as a thin wire is used to generate an easily-seen interference pattern.

Two versions of the video are...

Electric motor

This video shows a simple method for making an electric motor using a battery, strong magnets and a copper coil. It allows students to investigate Fleming's left hand rule and the forces generated in an electric motor.

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Electric sausage

In this video, Michael de Podesta has a unique twist to demonstrate static electricity and charge. Small pieces of paper are attracted to a statically-charged balloon. Amazingly, so is a sausage. This short video illustrates an engaging demonstration that can readily be used with students.

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Electromagnetic induction

Produced by StoryCog, this video demonstrates the process of electromagnetic induction. The video shows a simple piece of equipment that can readily be made which contains spinning magnets, a wire coil and a lamp. Spinning the magnets past the coil produces an electric current and lights the lamp.

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Electron diffraction tube

In this video, Alom Shaha explains the elements of an electron diffraction tube and how to use one to demonstrate a diffraction pattern. The video is aimed at teachers but it could also be used with older students to illustrate the working of an electron diffraction tube.

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Fire piston

This video demonstrates how compressing a gas increases its temperature. A small piece of cotton wool is placed into the bottom of a narrow plastic tube. When the air is rapidly compressed by a piston, the air temperature increases and the cotton ignites. The 'fire piston' can be used to illustrates the transfer of...

Monkey and Hunter

From the National STEM Learning Centre, this short video illustrates the effect of gravity on a projectile's motion by using a classic physics demonstration called the Monkey and the Hunter. If a hunter fires horizontally at a monkey in a tree, and simultaneously the monkey releases their grip to fall off the tree...

Oscilloscope

Produced by the National STEM Learning Centre and the Institute of Physics, this video demonstrates how to use an oscilloscope to measure potential differences that vary with time. The clip shows how to set up the oscilloscope and explains how the vertical displacement corresponds to a potential difference. The...