Physics · Optics
Measure the refractive index of water with a laser pointer
Trace a laser beam entering water at several angles and get the refractive index from Snell's law.
- Intermediate
- 1–3 hours
- Under 250
606 projects · 13 streams · every class
Physics projects 6
Physics projects you can measure: motion, light, sound, heat, electricity and magnetism. Each project gives the materials, the steps and the calculation behind the result.
6 Physics projects
Physics + Astronomy and Space
Estimate the Sun's power with a can of water
Measure how fast sunlight heats blackened water and estimate the solar constant.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Physics · Optics
Measure the wavelength of a laser with a ruler
Reflect a laser at grazing angle off a steel ruler and get its wavelength from the diffraction spots.
- Intermediate
- 1–3 hours
- Under 250
Physics · Waves
Investigate standing waves on a string
Drive a stretched string with a small speaker and find how frequency depends on tension.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- 250–500
Physics · Fluid Mechanics
Measure surface tension by counting drops
Use the drop-weight method to compare the surface tension of water, soapy water and oil.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Physics · Oscillations
Study damping with a pendulum in air and water
Film a pendulum losing amplitude in air and in water and test whether the decay is exponential.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
0 to compare
Compare