@simonpoliakoff.bsky.social
Physics Teacher who loves demonstrations and practicals. Makes YouTube videos and free creative commons lesson resources. Website: www.teachphysics.org YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SimonPoliakoff
Latest idea for using a Radiacode (Ad). A gamma camera.
#ITeachphysics
Demonstrating the idea of gamma camera imaging
youtu.be/PyGlHtvihXA
As tungsten halogen lamps give out some UV I wondered if I could use a vintage Rank Aldis Tutor 2 slide projector to show UV beyond the visible light in a spectrum
#ITeachPhysics
#SciTeachUK
Two simple ways to reveal the UV beyond the violet end of the visible light specturm
youtu.be/8lr-LA-0xzc
I have made some great connections after sending messages to thank people when I have used their website, app and resources and often got more good suggestions back in return.
The breaking stress of a crunchie bar practical is a standard for my physics lessons during the materials topic so I made this video describing it.
#ITeachPhysics
#SciTeachUK
youtu.be/Kr6YKfMN1f0
Making good use of the Radiacode 110 which they kindly sent me for using in my YouTube videos I made this video about radioactive things you can buy relatively cheaply. I hope you like it.
#ITeachPhysics
#SciTeachUK
youtu.be/gdcyphtu26k
Thanks to @cleapss.bsky.social for the article in their bulletin from which I learnt about the Radiacode.
Radiacode kindly agreed to send me one of their gamma ray detectors (the Radiacode 110) so that I could see how it might be used in physics teaching. Here is the first video making a gamma ray spectrum from the school cobalt 60 source
#ITeachPhysics
#SciTeachUK
youtu.be/DRDnrSdAKTs
Great! Shade the back with some black sugar paper to make the image easier to see.
Measuring count rate is worth doing along with the standard penetrating power:
Measuring count rate of stronitum 90 source
youtu.be/QEhyZ_GU5B4
This is also fun as a simple model: Sweet Radioactive Decay
youtu.be/NLrTlm_VWpw
I use this for deflection of beta particles.
Deflection of beta particles by a magnetic field
youtu.be/MGJLSOM7Xg4
#ITeachPhysics
Interestingly in my efforts to include more diverse role models in physics lessons, astronomy is the one area where I feel I am totally spoilt for choice and can’t fit them all in. Perhaps more Space topic in a reviewed curriculum would help improve things.
Great activity. I will add it to my ideas set for teaching waves when I next do an update.
Thanks to @phetsims.bsky.social for the useful simulations to use in the explanation.
Inspired by @harvard.edu natural sciences lecture demonstrations video which shows a projected absorption spectrum of sodium I created this version with an extension to then project the emission spectrum. I hope you like it.
#ITeachPhysics
#SciTeachUK
youtu.be/Gz--LUuYvSg
And less tempting to be stolen and eaten!
Thanks for posting Dan - you have saved me a job that was on my to do list. #SciTeachUK
Here is the trailer video: youtu.be/Ni5s2HXCzXI
Yes a 250W halogen bulb in a 1960s slide projecto.
It is quick to set up if you already have a gravity well.
This video is about how to use 4 way stretch cloth to model electric fields. It is based on an activity in the @perimeterinstitute.ca resources for teaching fields available from here: resources.perimeterinstitute.ca/products/fie... if you make a free account.
youtu.be/ea6RB8nb6iU
#ITeachPhysics
Simple investigation of a a parallel plate capacitor using a multimeter, Aluminium foil and printer paper:
#ITeachPhysics
#SciTeachUK
youtu.be/vhlyCSOw5f4
I think it would be v difficult to show the laser beams in ambient light and for a prolonged period. It might be better to have a second demo of showing the path of a laser beam nearby.
The difficulty is not damaging the optical components. I used a very light smoke for a short time from burning a paper craft straw ( Like you can use for brownian motion smoke cells ) in a blacked out room. I think most things could end up leaving a residue in the optical components.
Yes it is good fun. I made this video when I borrowed one.
youtu.be/8I3JCa8wCQQ
I am just projecting the image of a narrow single slit. And then using 1000 lines per mm diffraction film directly in front of the projector lens. But the Rank Aldis Tutor 2 is very bright 250W halogen bulb. It produces a little UV so you shouldn’t look into the lens. They go for £30-40 on ebay.
Used my ‘new’ 1960’s slide projector to make the best projected spectrum I have managed. I hope my students appreciated it.
#ITeachPhysics
#SciTeachUK
Floating a steel ball in mercury is good and can be sealed.
I use one when discussing that pressure doesn’t depend on the shape of the container at GCSE. They are v cheap to buy.
I made this compilation of some of my favourite demonstration videos from the last couple of years Which almost look like magic (to me at least).
I hope you like it.
#ITeachPhysics
#SciTeachUK
youtu.be/jQKr1ZrQSjc
This is my collection of ideas for using it: www.teachphysics.org/home/infrare...
#ITeachPhysics
@rhettallain.bsky.social has some good videos with IR cameras. As does @hookean.bsky.social