Browse Catalog

About the Catalog

This website is an ongoing project to create a comprehensive library of physics demonstrations, simulations, videos, and other useful resources available at the Harvard Science Center. Having evolved from "The Demonstrative Physicist's Companion," a handbook begun in 1990 by W. Rueckner and S. Steel, this website goes far beyond a compilation of all the demonstrations in our current repertoire.

Included in the table of contents at the left are twelve topic sections relating to particular areas of physics, chemistry, and math. Each topic section is further divided into sub-sections in which the demonstrations are listed. You may find browsing through these sections helpful to get ideas for your lecture, but even more helpful is the ability to search the catalog with key words so that you needn't rely on our categorization or cross-referencing schemes to find what fits your needs.

It is our intention to make this site as useful as possible. Any suggestions from you, the user, are greatly appreciated. If you found a demonstration listed for which you wished there was an "in-depth" description, let us know. You can contact us by the various methods listed above.

Key to Catalog Listings

Size: from small [S] (benchtop) to extra large [XL] (most of the hall) 
Setup Time: <10 min [t], 10-15 min [t+], >15 min [t++] /span>
Rating: from good [★] to wow! [★★★★] or not rated [—] 

Complete key to listings

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