Applied Physics

Erector Set Magnetic Optical Mount For Laser Pointer

I’ll demonstrate how to build a simple magnetic optical mount for a cat toy (laser pointer). Though it is simple—that is, there aren’t any fine tuning mechanisms one would find on an optical bench—it is, nonetheless, inexpensive and flexible enough to use ...

Article - Steve Schuler - Feb 20 2015 - 1:47pm

What is "Navigated Voltage"?

What is "Navigated Voltage"? The short answer to the question "what is navigated voltage?" is that there is no such thing.  A slightly longer answer is that the correct term is "induced voltage". I was searching the web for m ...

Blog Post - Patrick Lockerby - Feb 13 2015 - 2:44pm

The Tyndall Effect

You can use a simple cat toy (laser pointer) to demonstrate the Tyndall effect. “The Tyndall effect, also known as Tyndall scattering,” according to Wikipedia, “is light scattering by particles in a colloid or particles in a fine suspension.” You can use ...

Article - Steve Schuler - Feb 23 2015 - 7:19am

DIY Titration Lab Ware

You often see demonstrations of titration using an expensive glass burette, but you can build titration lab ware using a disposable serological pipette, a solder sucker bulb, and a ring stand or support stand. For this build I’m using the tripod stand fro ...

Article - Steve Schuler - Feb 24 2015 - 9:37am

Sample Serological Pipettes For My DIY Titration Article

Thanks to TransGlobal Scientific for the sample serological pipettes used in my article " DIY Titration Lab Ware." ...

Blog Post - Steve Schuler - Feb 24 2015 - 9:39am

Pump More Oil, Save The Environment- Electric Fields Boost Keystone Pipeline Flow

A strong electric field applied to a section of the Keystone pipeline can smooth oil flow and yield significant pump energy savings, found a new study. The physics basis is to electrically align particles within the crude oil, which reduces viscosity (thic ...

Article - News Staff - Feb 27 2015 - 11:30am

Danceroom Physics: Seeing The Atomic World Through Art

by Marsha Lewis, Inside Science (Inside Science TV) – Scientists often examine matter that is invisible to the naked eye. This hidden atomic world is a mystery for most people, but now a scientist created a way for people to imagine what they might see as ...

Article - Inside Science - Mar 1 2015 - 9:30am

Amazing Metamaterials Mechanical Properties

A “mechanically programmable” metamaterial held by Bastiaan Florijn, Leiden University. Photo credit: Ben P. Stein By Ben Stein, Inside Science (Inside Science Currents Blog)-- It’s rare when a scientific term is both cool sounding and precise, but the wo ...

Article - Inside Science - Mar 4 2015 - 9:00am

Why Don’t Birds Break Their Necks When They Dive?

Northern gannets avoid buckling their necks by choosing the right diving speed. Credit: Jean-Jacques Boujot By Ben Stein, Inside Science (Inside Science Currents Blog)-- Animals perform many feats that are remarkable once you think about them. Here’s one ...

Article - Inside Science - Mar 5 2015 - 8:30am

K’nex Test Tube Rack

I often see K’nex sets at second-hand stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army so I decided to see if K’nex can be co-opted for science and used them to build a test tube rack. The upright K’nex rods support the structure, can be raised and lowered if neede ...

Blog Post - Steve Schuler - Mar 5 2015 - 8:26am