Water Hammer

The water hammer demonstration involves an evacuated glass tube containing a small amount of water. When the tube is suddenly stopped, the inertia of the water causes it to continue moving and strike the end of the tube, producing an audible click. This effect illustrates the inertia of motion, demonstrating how a fluid in motion will continue to move in the same direction until acted upon by an external force. The demonstration can be related to the water hammer phenomenon in plumbing systems, where the sudden closure of a valve causes a shock wave, resulting in a loud banging noise. This demo provides a clear example of the principles of inertia and momentum in fluids.