The Atmosphere

Golf Ball Atmosphere

[L | t | ★★★]
Demonstration of molecular motion and pressure using golf balls.

[In-Depth Description]

55 Gallon Drum

[L | t+ | ★★★]
Drum evacuated by vacuum pump; crushed by atmospheric pressure. 

[In-Depth Description]

Convection Cell

[S/M | t+ | ★★★]
A temperature gradient is applied to a two-dimensional cell filled with rheoscopic fluid; beautiful convection currents are observed.

[In-Depth Description]

Cloud in a Bottle and Nucleation

[M | t | —]
A 5-gallon bottle containing air and water vapor is slightly pressurized; a sudden release of the pressure cools the vapor, forming a cloud.

Smog in a Bottle

[M | t+ | ★★★]
Nitrogen dioxide is produced by an electric discharge in air and, when sprayed with a water mist, produces acid rain.

[In-Depth Description]

Greenhouse Bottles

[S | t+ | ★★]
Simulation of the greenhouse effect with silvered and unsilvered glass bottles.

[In-Depth Description]

Polarization by Scattering

[M | t+ | ★★★]
Simulation of atmospheric scattering and polarization of sunlight using slide projector and aquarium containing milky water.

[In-Depth Description]

20% Oxygen

[M | t++ | —]
Air is shown to be 20% oxygen by burning magnesium in a glass cylinder inverted over water.

Giant Raindrop

[M | t+ | —]
Large water-filled plastic raindrop shows, by laser ray tracing, the opticsof rainbow making.

Van de Graaff Generator

[L | t+ | —] 
Anti-antique electrostatic generator to be used with pie plates, etc. or just as a demonstration by itself (of static electricity generation).

Contact Us

Mailing Address: Lecture Demonstration Services, Science Center, Rm B-08A, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Campus Location: Science Center B-08A | Tel: (617) 495-5824 | Email: scidemos-at-fas.harvard.edu