PIRA Demonstration Classification Scheme

Understanding how we organize demonstrations and equipment

What is PIRA DCS?

The PIRA Demonstration Classification Scheme (DCS) is a standardized, internationally recognized system for organizing and cataloging physics instructional apparatus and demonstrations. PIRA stands for "Physics Instructional Resource Association," and the system has been developed and refined over decades to help educators locate and share physics resources.

Learn more about PIRA at pira.wildapricot.org

Our Implementation

At CU Boulder, we use the PIRA DCS to organize both demonstrations and equipment. Each uses slightly different organizational structures based on their specific needs.

Demonstrations (Sections 1-8)

Demonstrations use the full PIRA DCS system organized in four levels:

  1. Area (e.g., 1 - Mechanics, 2 - Fluid Mechanics, etc.)
  2. Topic (e.g., 1A - Measurements, 1C - Motion in One Dimension)
  3. Concept (e.g., 1A10 - Basic Units, 1C10 - Velocity)
  4. Demonstration (e.g., 1A10.30 - Standard of Length, 1C10.25 - Constant Velocity - Air Track)

Example: A demonstration with code 1A40.14B means:

  • 1 = Mechanics
  • 1A = Measurements
  • 1A40 = Vectors
  • 1A40.14 = Vector Components
  • 1A40.14B = Version B (if multiple versions exist)

Version Suffix: When we have multiple versions of the same demonstration, we append a letter: 1A10.10A, 1A10.10B, etc.

Equipment (Section 9 Only)

Equipment is organized using PIRA DCS Section 9 with up to four levels:

  1. Area (Always Section 9 - Equipment)
  2. Topic (e.g., 9A - Support Systems, 9B - Electronic)
  3. Concept (e.g., 9A10 - Blackboard Tools, 9B37 - Oscilloscopes)
  4. Equipment Item (Individual equipment pieces - not numbered using PIRA convention)

Custom Categories: When official PIRA codes don't apply, we create custom categories using double letters for topics (e.g., 9DD, 9DL) and three digits for concepts (e.g., 9DD100).

Example: Lab supplies might be organized under 9DL100 (Laboratory Accessories > Measuring Instruments), with individual items listed below without additional PIRA codes.

PIRA DCS Sections Overview

Section Title Focus
1 Mechanics Motion, forces, energy, collisions, rotations, properties of matter
2 Fluid Mechanics Surface tension, fluid statics and dynamics, viscosity
3 Oscillations & Waves Pendulums, springs, wave motion, sound, acoustics, instruments
4 Thermodynamics Temperature, heat transfer, phase changes, kinetic theory, entropy
5 Electricity & Magnetism Electrostatics, fields, circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic induction
6 Optics Geometrical optics, diffraction, interference, polarization, color
7 Modern Physics Quantum effects, atomic physics, nuclear physics, relativity, lasers
8 Astronomy Planetary and stellar astronomy, cosmology, telescopes
9 Equipment Lab apparatus, support systems, electronic instruments, mechanical equipment

How to Use This System

  • Browse by Category: Use the hierarchical navigation on our site to explore demonstrations and equipment by section, topic, and concept
  • Search: Search for equipment by name or PIRA code
  • Link Concepts to Equipment: Many demonstrations reference the equipment they require, organized by their PIRA codes
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