Deformation by Central Forces Concept

Demonstrations in Deformation by Central Forces

Flexible metal hoop spinning on a brass rod mounted on a hand-cranked centrifugal machine, showing oblate deformation with motion blur
Safety

Flattening Earth

A flexible hoop on a hand-cranked centrifugal machine flattens into an oblate shape as rotation speed increases, modeling Earth's equatorial bulge. Students see how centrifugal effects deform rotating bodies and …
Tall cylindrical glass vessel containing water, photographed against a dark background, showing a concave parabolic surface at the top of the water column
Safety

Water Parabola

A water-filled glass cylinder spun on a centrifugal machine produces a parabolic free surface. Students see that the equilibrium shape results from the balance of gravitational and centrifugal forces in …
Overhead view of inverted Erlenmeyer flask filled with water with orange fishing float visible inside, mounted in white aluminum frame on teal rotating platform with grid pattern
Safety

Rotating Accelerometer

Provides cognitive dissonance for students who expect all objects in a rotating system to be flung outward. An inverted water-filled flask with a fishing float is spun on a rotating …