Questions tagged [home-experiment]
questions concerning measurements, experiments, and activities that demonstrate physics and are safe to do at home, require at most one tool or ingredient not readily available, and can be interpreted or analyzed on one sheet of paper with accessible math.
748
questions
2
votes
1
answer
54
views
How can the air be warmer than both the floor and the glass ceiling of an aluminum foil-lined box in the sun?
I've constructed a styrofoam box, with the insides spray-painted black, on top of which I placed five layers of borosilicate glasses, air-gapped with a bit of cork. It is diagrammed below:
The box ...
- 1,257
0
votes
0
answers
28
views
Rectangle-like structures and their folding in physics
It is well known that mathematics helps to explain some science problems. For example gömböc, which was a well hidden body from mathematicians, explains the body structure of some tortoises in ...
0
votes
1
answer
65
views
Will my equations accurately calculate objects' drag coefficients? [closed]
Context: I am in highschool, writing an extended essay on different nose cone designs and reducing the coefficient of drag. I am performing an experiment myself to record data. A 3D printed object ...
- 3
3
votes
0
answers
205
views
How do you build a Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CEvNS) detector?
*Milkjug-sized neutrino detector (the COHERENT neutrino detector):
https://news.uchicago.edu/story/worlds-smallest-neutrino-detector-observes-elusive-interactions-particles#:~:text=The%204%2Dinch%...
- 47
0
votes
0
answers
64
views
How to double-slit experiment with an observer at home?
I decided to conduct Young's experiment, double-split experiment, observer effect. I bought a laser pointer, cut slits in the foil with the blade, as it should be. And this is what I got:
Light ...
- 109
1
vote
2
answers
51
views
Human error in wave experiment
I am trying to see what the fundamental frequency of a string is by slowly increasing the frequency on a function generator.
This experiment relies on the experimenter to record the frequency as soon ...
- 39
2
votes
1
answer
109
views
Why did static magnets make ice melt faster?
I made the following pilot experiment. I made 2 cubes of ice 3x4x5 cm (HxWxL) from tap water in 2 containers obtained from a cheese package (it has silver-looking reflective interior and is made from ...
- 31
0
votes
0
answers
32
views
Is there any experiment suitable for children to prove the photomolecular effect?
The photomolecular effect happens when a TM-polarized laser shines on the air–water interface at an angle such that an electrical field component perpendicular to the surface changes rapidly across ...
2
votes
1
answer
46
views
A-Level physics question: gradient of graph of voltage [closed]
I am trying to do question 25(b) from this A-Level physics paper: (page 20/28)
https://ocr.org.uk/Images/677416-question-paper-breadth-in-physics.pdf
According to the mark scheme, the graph should be ...
- 21
1
vote
2
answers
76
views
Can I make a tire swing with no initial angular momentum spin while swinging?
Is it possible to make a tire swing with no initial angular momentum spin while swinging?
One way to make it spin while not swinging is to rotate an arm in succession around the three axes; this will ...
- 357
1
vote
2
answers
135
views
How can I build a superconductor at home?
How can I make a superconductor at home? I have been interested in making one from scratch, but I have no idea where to begin. I have heard about YBCO superconductors and I feel as though that is the ...
0
votes
0
answers
26
views
Is image projection a good test quality for hyperopia glasses?
I've just bought a new pair of glasses for hyperopia, and want to test the lens quality. If I use the lenses just like a magnifying glass, to project the image of a lamp onto a wall, the image should ...
- 103
0
votes
1
answer
66
views
Can I solve the drag equation without any experimental data? (I have a 3d model of a rocket and want to see how fast it can go using math) [closed]
I made a rocket in a cad software and tried to do the math to solve speed. Is there any way to solve the drag coefficient of a rocket (pointed for simplicity) cone and fins that goes up then goes to ...
2
votes
0
answers
71
views
Will glass bottle survive being thrown into water? [closed]
Will this glass bottle survive, being thrown off a $15 \,\text{m}$ tall bridge onto water, assuming it will hit the water at the worst possible angle?
The glass bottle is well built, has a size of $1 ...
- 29
2
votes
1
answer
140
views
Question on Babinet's principle example
Say we have the following mask (I drew it myself on paint):
I asked myself if it is possible to know the form of the image generated on a screen after the mask or know the electric field generated ...
- 85
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
Keeping sparkling water inside a bottle as aerated as it was before opening bottle
So when you open a new bottle of sparkling water (or soda) it's very fizzy and aerated. However, when it is stored for quite a bit (no matter how tightly you close the bottle cap) it loses some gases ...
- 21
3
votes
1
answer
123
views
How is my hot plate inside an aluminum-lined styrofoam box not violating the laws of physics?
I've constructed a 25cm x 25cm hot plate out of an aluminum plate with flat nichrome wire under it as a resistive element.
I blackened the top with a pitch black spray paint, and placed it at the base ...
- 1,257
-1
votes
1
answer
66
views
Okay, I know the risks. ( Amateur Rocket.) [closed]
I am currently attending a school for electrical science. A small group of students and our instructor are attempting group project to build a liquid fuel rocket. (I know it is a bit out of the scope ...
0
votes
1
answer
71
views
Mach Zehnder Do-it-yourself
I have a red laser and BS. Can I make MZI at the lab? I heard that is very difficult to achieve the calibration. What is expected to be seen after BS2? A dark spot at centre with fringes around? I ...
- 649
2
votes
0
answers
85
views
Physics of paintings created by the orbit of swinging buckets filled with paint
I am intrigued about the physics behind these paintings, which are created by swinging a bucket with a hole filled with paint from a rope (here it is another example).
In principle, it seems to be a ...
- 984
1
vote
1
answer
80
views
A water-bottle demonstration of atmospheric pressure
I'd like to ask about an experiment on atmospheric pressure. To conduct the experiment, we need an empty PET bottle and make a small cut on the lower part of the bottle. A cut no greater than one-half ...
- 169
2
votes
0
answers
96
views
Strange effects using 3 slightly magnetic balls from a ball bearing and a magnet
When I was young, I played around with whatever I could get hold on. At a time I put three balls from a ball bearing in a straight row next to each other. They were slightly magnetic, so they stuck to ...
- 1,028
0
votes
0
answers
27
views
Spreading water evenly between connected vessels are differing heights and distances
Working on a self watering planter and am having trouble calculating the way this water would spread between connected vessels. The top vessel will connect to the other vessels with small aquarium ...
- 1
16
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Spinning gyroscope loses weight?
I ran two tests with a toy gyroscope spinning on a weighing scale that is accurate to $1$mg.
The scale was reset to zero before the tests. The gyroscope was flipped over between test $1$ and test $2$. ...
- 5,955
0
votes
1
answer
85
views
In what direction would current flow in the coil?
I have two circular coils facing each other in parallel. Through one coil current flows. I move the second coil in a parallel fashion.
What is the direction of current induced on the moving coil?
Acc. ...
- 1
16
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Calculating temperature when it is lower than your thermometers can read?
We have an old freezer. I believe the thermostat is broken and think it may run all the time. Food in it gets really cold (Ice cream like concrete). I've tried measuring the temp with a freezer ...
- 163
1
vote
0
answers
66
views
Is there a reason why when a parallel-plate setup is immersed under water, the potential difference between them reduces?
I will elaborate upon this question as follows.
I was trying to devise an experiment to observe equipotential surfaces of different charge configurations, using a movable probe connected to a ...
- 11
3
votes
0
answers
66
views
Discrepancy between theory and real life: spool and mass system connected via pulley
I was given this problem in physics class. My teacher said that they reached the ground at the same time, but when I tested it out (video), I got drastically different results. I showed the professor ...
0
votes
1
answer
141
views
I was wondering if it was possible to make a homemade particle accelerator, and if so, how? [duplicate]
I was wondering if it was possible to make a homemade particle accelerator and if so, how would I?
0
votes
0
answers
50
views
Can lasers really show microbes in water?
I used a 532 nm green laser and passed its beam through a water droplet. Can you explain me are these really microbes and if they are then how a laser is able to do so?
8
votes
10
answers
2k
views
How do we know what physics or science textbook said is correct? [closed]
I have a question. I have a problem that when I learn science, I like to think 'how do they know this is right?'.
When we learn physics or science from a textbook, we read and understand it, and then ...
- 311
0
votes
0
answers
114
views
Is it possible to make real DIY microscope with several lens?
I have alot of small double convex 7 mm lenses and i have very small lens 4mm
And i have plano concave lenses all of them is small
I tried to combining them to get a magnified image and it worked when ...
- 101
2
votes
1
answer
218
views
Why does a long rectangular cardboard thrown in air start spinning automatically?
A long rectangular cardboard thrown in air starts spinning automatically on its way down. Few observations in this experiment:
Long rectangular cardboard pieces spin well
Doesn't work well with ...
- 159
2
votes
0
answers
45
views
How the potential difference (PD) between two electrodes changes with electrolyte concentration and distance? [closed]
I set up the following experiment
I keep the black probe fixed to the left electrode. I moved the red probe at different points. I measure a voltage, basically the potential difference (PD) between ...
1
vote
1
answer
90
views
Can we design an experiment or an intuitive way to demonstrate tidal locking?
I was explaining the tidal locking phenomenon to a friend. First I started with the formation of solar system and how at the beginning the planets were actually like balls of magma-esque rocks. And ...
- 165
2
votes
1
answer
94
views
Double-slit experiment with photons slit measurement for high school
I know how to perform the double slit experiment in high school: a dark room, a source of light like a consumer electronics laser, a black board, and a card board with double slits.
Is there way to ...
- 207
2
votes
1
answer
23
views
What are the physical concepts that can be associated with the operation of a hydraulic arm? [closed]
I am developing a project that requires an explanation of the physical concepts behind something applicable, like in the industry. I have chosen to describe the concepts behind the operation of a ...
4
votes
0
answers
59
views
How can i find the value of Planck's constant using Black body radiation?
I'm working for a physics project for Highschool, and i'm currently thinking about using black body radiation to measure Planck's constant. I know there is an option using the photoelectric effect but ...
- 41
3
votes
1
answer
71
views
Do you have to know which radiation type are you measuring with a geiger counter to correctly estimate the equivalent dose rate?
for a while now, I have been working on my own DIY geiger counter. I was able to make some more or less functional devices, which all were working around old soviet SBM-20 GM tube. I want to do a ...
- 33
3
votes
0
answers
58
views
Observed frequencies of a drum versus mathematically predicted frequencies
I built a small circular drum in order to compare the actual resonant frequencies versus the resonant frequencies predicted by modeling it as a circular membrane obeying the wave equation with fixed ...
- 41
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
Energy of an x-ray generated by cathode ray
I'm trying to understand if I could capture the event of generation of an electron positron pair from a gamma ray inside a cloud chamber. So far I've been thinking of using a cathode ray tube as a ...
- 540
8
votes
2
answers
182
views
Condensation on the side of a cloud chamber
I'm trying to build a cloud chamber using a peltier thermoelectric cooler. So far, I've managed to detect some particles, but their trails are very weak (I've used a high voltage generator, about 4kV, ...
- 540
11
votes
1
answer
288
views
Unexpected laser pattern through calcite crystal
I've bought a calcite crystal and tried to see birefringence by shining a laser through it.
I get a split spot in the centre of a sixfold pattern
The hexagonal pattern resembles a diffraction pattern,...
- 528
12
votes
1
answer
253
views
Weight of magnet depends on its N-S orientation?
I weighed a Neodymium disc magnet and found that it weighs about $1$ mg more when the north pole is upwards than when the south pole is upwards.
Can this be explained by "conventional" ...
- 5,955
2
votes
1
answer
74
views
Is this an accidental interference pattern?
I recently purchased this laser level. When I turned it on, I got excited when I noticed that it projected this interesting pattern on the wall:
Is this an interference pattern? I don't know much ...
- 123
1
vote
0
answers
30
views
Can I find the maximum magnetic flux of my magnet knowing the magnetic flux density? (and also for multiple stacked together) [closed]
I'm working on an extended essay in physics for IB with my experiment relating to the magnet down a copper tube experiment. I'm trying to find the terminal velocity with my independent variable being ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
44
views
Are there everyday materials that change color, depending on illumination spectrum?
Initially I wanted to ask this exact question about color change due to "white" light source spectrum change, and the accepted answer satisfies me fully.
However the answer says that most of ...
- 3,044
1
vote
2
answers
320
views
Prevent Foucault's Pendulum from an Ellipticity
I am using a 15kg dumbbell as the bob of a Foucault's pendulum attached to a string of 4 meters. However, using the common method of burning a wire to set the bob in motion, it will begin to oscillate ...
- 43
3
votes
2
answers
354
views
Is household alluminium foil good for observing photoelectric effect?
I have built an electroscope(very primitive, just a wire and some aluminum foil). I'm thinking about using it to observe the photoelectric effect. But I don't have any high frequency wave producing ...
- 1,305
4
votes
2
answers
153
views
Inverted Pascal's barrel
Pascal's barrel is an experiment that shows the counterintuitive nature of how pressure increases linearly in depth according to $p=p_0+\rho gz$, where $z$ is the depth. The experiment consists of a ...
