The Miller Collection:
Physics Single-Concept Films

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19 short films which have been transferred from film to videodisc. We have most of these as 8mm film loops. A sound track, written by Professor Miller, has been added. A Teacher's Guide is on file in the Physics Demonstrations Library.
The code, eg 4:40, [*****;W;1], is from the 8mm film loop index.

1. Tacoma narrows bridge collapse, 4:40, [*****;W;1]
no description necessary, a classic
2. Inertial forces - translational acceleration: weight in an elevator, 2:05, [*****;M,MP;1]
man standing on spring scale in elevator, shows changes in scale reading on acceleration
3. Inertial forces - centripetal acceleration, 3:15, [*****;M;1]
people in the "Rotor Ride" - a large rotating cylinder whose floor drops away when the rotor is up to speed
4. The Wilberforce pendulum, 5:00, [****;W;2]
nice, but better done live
5. Measurement of G (Cavendish expt), 4:25, [***;M;1]
Leybold apparatus (we have one in UG2), shows position of reflected spot as a function of time, G calculated in notes on box
6. Coupled Oscillators-Equal Masses
7. Coupled Oscillators-Unequal Masses
8. Non-recurrent wavefronts, 3:15, [****;W;1]
single crest water wave, tidal bore, people pulse, shock wave following hydrogen bomb, light pulse from nova
9. Diffraction: single slit, 3:45, [***;O;1]
nice shot of single slit pattern with varying wavelength, everything else is better done live with a laser
10. Diffraction: double slit, 4:00, [****;O;1]
nice shots of effect of varying separation of slits, wavelength
11. Resolving power, 3:55, [***;O;3]
diffraction pattern from a pinhole viewed through an aperture, 2 pinholes viewed through various fixed apertures, varying aperture
12. Michelson interferometer, 4:45, [***;O;3]
13. Temperature waves, 4:00, [*****;H,W;1]
insulated brass rod with thermometers attached along length, temperature distribution along rod shown for one end hot, one end cold and one end cycled
14. Critical temperature, 5:00, [****;H;1]
cooling of ethyl ether through the critical point
15. Ferromagnetic domain wall motion, 4:50, [****;EM,SS;2]
domain walls on an iron whisker, dependence of domain size and shape on field
16. Paramagnetism of liquid oxygen, 3:40, [***;H,EM;1]
liquid oxygen and nitrogen poured over pole pieces of magnet
17. Absorption spectroscopy, 3:50, [***;O,MP;1]
emission and absorption spectrum of a sodium flame (beautiful), absorption spectra of hemoglobin in solution, didymium glass
18. Radioactive Decay
19. Scintillation spectroscopy, 3:35, [***;MP;?]
assembly of scintillation detector, spectrum of Mn56 for 3 counting times showing photopeak, Compton edge and backscatter, useful for properties of detector and for showing effect of longer counting times
Disclaimer: All demonstrations are posted for the convenience and benefit of faculty and staff in the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University and are not intended for outside use. The author(s) assume no responsibility or liability for the use of information contained on this site. Warnings and precautionary measures listed on this site assume normal operation of equipment and are not inclusive. Demonstrations may pose a significant hazard and can, in some instances, result in death; reasonable safety precautions must be taken. Demonstrations should be performed by qualified individuals only.

Prepared by Jeff Rudd, 1999
Revised by Laura Schmidt, 2007

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