Golf Ball Atmosphere

A demonstration of the effect of the kinetic motion of gas molecules (here modeled by a few dozen practice golf balls) in creating pressure; increasing the average kinetic energy of the molecules increases the pressure and the volume of the gas.

A spinning turntable with raised ridges knocks the balls upward, supplying them with kinetic energy. The balls transfer their kinetic energy to a 1.2 kg metal mesh screen that is roughly counterbalanced by a 1 kg weight hanging by a pulley. In the first half of the video, we see the balls doing work on the screen, eventually raising it to a height of roughly 50 cm. In the second half the turntable slows down, supplying less energy to the golf balls.

For more information on our setup, see http://sciencedemonstrations.fas.harvard.edu/presentations/golf-ball-atmosphere

Filmed in 300 fps with a Casio EX-F1. Thanks to Rob and Nils for their help.

Видео Golf Ball Atmosphere канала Harvard Natural Sciences Lecture Demonstrations