121 Plus 9 Physics Experiments

Do you believe in flying saucers? Have you seen one? If so, this last experiment may be just the thing. It’s an impossible sight that’s made possible by the invisible force field of a magnet.Things Required:PaperMarkers or crayonsMetal paper clip10-inch-long stringTapeStrong and flat magnetStack of booksA pair of scissors Directions:Draw and colour a small picture […]

Fireworks do it. But do you realize that you can also create a huge boom in the privacy of your own living room?Things Required:Corrugated cardboard (from a shipping box)Pair of scissorsBrown paperPair of scissorsRulerTape Directions:Cut out a triangle from brown paper. The triangle should measure 14 inches × 14 inches × 20 inches. Cut a

In a baseball game you may have seen a pitcher throwing a curve ball. Have you ever wondered why he does that? In this experiment we will demonstrate how a baseball pitcher throws a curve ball.Things Required:Golf ball, or any ball of comparable size and weightString, 3 ft. (90 cm)Masking tapeYardstick (meter stick)Directions:Attach the string

Have you ever wanted to create something that blended art and science? Well, here’s your chance! In this experiment, you’ll get to construct a drawing that has moving parts. The parts, however, aren’t magical-just magnetic.Things Required:Two poster boards or stiff cardboardsBox of crayonsMarkersTapeA bunch of metal paper clipsPair of scissorA small magnetDirections:Draw a colourful setting

Do you know that windows talk? Takh, tak, tak and tak. Well, not exactly. But surfaces, such as windows, vibrate to the beat of a person’s voice. Several years ago, it was discovered that spies monitored the vibration of windows by using high-tech equipment. Although the movement was very slight yet, it could be detected

The aim of this easy experiment is to show the effect of speed on air pressure.Things Required:2 books of equal size1 sheet of notebook paper1 drinking strawRuler Directions:Position the books 4 inches (10 cm) apart on a table. Lie the sheet of paper across the space between the books. Place the end of the straw

The title probably did get your attention. These discs appear to float in mid-air. Their secret isn’t an anti-gravity formula handed down by aliens from UFO’s. It’s just a result of magnetic repulsion.Things Required:Four magnets with holes in their centre (available at local electronics stores)6-inch-long wooden dowelFlat wooden baseCarpenter’s wood glueDirections:Cut a piece of 1/4-inch

A physician’s stethoscope is a sound-capturing device. Its sound gathering end is formed by a flat drumhead. Sounds detected by this surface are transferred through the hose to the broadcasting end of the tool. There, vibrations leave the tube and are detected by the physician’s ear.Things Required:Two funnels1-foot-long plastic tubingDirections:Slip each end of the plastic

While flying kites you may have seen tails behind them. Have you ever wondered what the purpose of this tail in the kites? In this experiment, we will find the effect of the tail of a kite.Things Required:1 sheet of notebook paperScissorsStringRulerCellophane tapeDirections:Cut a 2-inch × 12-inch (5 cm × 30 cm) strip from the

Water has a skin-like covering formed by the way water molecules attract one another. This attraction is called surface tension. Objects such as needles and pins float effortlessly on this invisible skin. Needles and pins are also easily magnetized. Perhaps we can combine these characteristics.Things Required:A dozen sewing needles or pinsMagnetNon-metal bowlWaterMetal paper clipDirections:Magnetize about

Imagine being in a room where several people are playing musical instruments. In the corner sits an unplayed piano. The music builds in intensity, filling the room with a loud and rich sound. Then the music ends abruptly. The piano, however, plays on. Although no one sits at the instrument yet, the piano produces a

In this experiment, we will balance two forks on the edge of a drinking glass. Does it sound like a magic trick? But my dear, this is pure science.Things Required:2 metal forksDrinking glass or wide-mouthed jarModelling clay1 flat toothpick Directions:Make a ball of clay about the size of a large marble. Insert the tip of

Two thousand years ago, Chinese navigators figured out how magnets could be used in navigation. Some people believe this connection was discovered when someone dropped a piece of natural magnetic rock (called lodestone) into a bucket of water. The rock settled so that it might “point” to north. Every time it was dropped, the rock

Are you a bathroom singer? Have you ever sung in the shower? If so, did some notes sound much louder than others? By varying your pitch, you can uncover notes that the room seems to boost. This amplification is a natural effect that is caused by the shape of the bathroom space. When you hit

Is air weightless or does it have any weight? This is what we are going to find out by performing this experiment.Things Required:Modelling clayPencilYardstick (meter stick)3 balloons, 9 inches (23 cm); the balloons must be the same sizeString, 4 ft. (120 cm)Scissors Directions:Use the clay to secure the end of the pencil to the edge