Density Ball and Galilean Thermometer

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 Code Number :   2B40.59

Disclaimer:

Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website.

The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources.

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Condition :   Excellent   
Principle :   Comparison of Densities  
Area of Study :  Heat & Fluids  
Equipment :   density ball, 2 beakers, 2 thermometers, hot and cold water, density rod, reverse density rod.

Procedure :   Take cold water directly from tap (about 22 C ), and place in one beaker.  Place warm water (about 35 C ), in the other beaker.  Insert the thermometer probes to monitor the temperatures.  When you place the density ball into the cold water it should just barely float.  When placed in the hot water the density ball should sink.

The density rod is designed to show the same effect as the density ball described above.  That is it will float in cold water but sink in hot. 

The reverse density rod will show the opposite effect.  That is it will sink in cold water and float in hot. 

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   References
#87, "On Top,"  Janice VanCleave's 204 Sticky, Gloppy, Wacky, and Wonderful Experiments.



Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille