Smashing Spheres

4B60.140 | Be1
Catalog: 
4B60.140
Location: 
Be1
Room: 
PS F175
Quantity: 
2
Setup Time: 
5 minutes
  • Two 1-pound, 2 inch diameter chrome steel spheres. When smashed together with a
    Two 1-pound, 2 inch diameter chrome steel spheres. When smashed together with a piece of paper between them enough heat is generated at the point of contact to burn a hole in a piece of ordinary paper.
  • When the two spheres are smashed together with a piece of paper between them eno
    When the two spheres are smashed together with a piece of paper between them enough heat is generated at the point of contact to burn a hole in a piece of ordinary paper.
Description: 

Two metal spheres are smashed together with a piece of paper between them. It burns a hole which can be displayed by placing paper on overhead projector. Mechanical equivalent of work and heat.

Instructions: 


Hang a piece of paper from a ring stand.
Smash the balls together with the paper in between.
Place the paper on the overhead projector or ELMO to show the holes burned through the paper.
For the benefit of the students sitting in the back you might point out that you can smell the burned paper.

Purpose: 
This demonstration graphically illustrates the conversion of mechanical energy into heat energy.