Bend a Wall

Image #2

Image #3

 


content.gif (1503 bytes)
 Code Number :   1H10.35

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.

Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA.

The University of Iowa Disclaimers:  U of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..

Condition :   Good   
Principle :   Action & Reaction  
Area of Study :  Mechanics  
Equipment :   Laser, beam splitter, Radio shack speaker amplifier with photocell, mirror with magnetic backing, metal "wall".

Procedure :   Attach the magnet to the blackboard or metal wall.  Align the laser beam so that it is bounced back into the laser. Place the beam splitter in front of the laser and put the reflected beam onto the photocell.  Turn up the amplifier and then press on the wall or the table holding the apparatus.  A squeal should emit from the amplifier speaker as the wall or table flexes.

An simple version of this demo is to just shoot the laser beam directly into the photocell that is connected to the amplifier/speaker.  Place a microscope slide in the beam between the laser and the photocell.  As you rotate the microscope slide a "whine" will be heard from the speaker.

conbot.gif (53 bytes)

 

   References

Chris R. Brown, "Optics Puzzler", TPT, Vol. 45, # 9, Dec. 2007, p. 571.

James M. Moses, K. P. Trout, "A Simple Laser Microphone Classroom Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 44, # 9, Dec. 2006, p. 600.

Daniel L. Maclsaac and Michael Nordstrand, "Wall Fexture Correction", TPT, Vol. 23, # 6, Sept. 2001, p. 325.

Daniel L. Maclsaac and Michael Nordstrand, "Demonstrating and Measuring the Flexure of a Masonry Wall", TPT, Vol. 39, # 4, Apr. 2001, p. 212 - 214.

Tung Jeong, Larry Alofs, "Hear the Wall Bend", TPT, Vol. 23, # 2, Feb. 1985, p. 108 - 110.

 

Richard E. Crandall, "Simple and Vivid Demonstrations of Advanced Concepts in Physics", The Amateur Scientist, Jan. 1983.


Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille