Columbia University Physics Lecture Demonstrations


Welcome to the Columbia University Physics Demonstrations home page!

Most commonly requested demonstrations for all categories are here: Main Demonstrations


Full list by each category

(A more complete inventory, including some of the lesser-used demonstrations)


Mechanics Fluid Mechanics Oscillation and Waves Thermodynamics Electricity and Magnetism Optics Modern Physics Astronomy


Information and Background

There are a large number of lecture demonstrations available for use in Physics classes. A list and description of these demos is available by clicking on the links located above.

If you would like to have a demo for your lecture, you should contact Kenneth Sikes (sikes@phys.columbia.edu, 212-854-1241, in 318 Pupin) twenty-four hours (or more, depending on the materials needed) in advance of your lecture. If you would like to do a demo that you do not see on the list, feel free to suggest it to Kenneth and, if possible, it will be created.

In addition to lecture demos, we have advanced electronic classroom capabilities in 301, 329, and 428 Pupin. The technician can help with setting up these facilities, but if there are any problems please contact CUIT at extension 4-3633. The department does NOT have keys or access to repair the equipment or fix the software.

The demonstrations have been indexed according to the PIRA standard, which has been adopted by many universities around the country. For more information on PIRA and a comprehensive listing of physics demonstrations, visit North Carolina State University's Physics Demonstrations Home Pages and their page on the PIRA Classification Scheme, as well as University of Colorado's PIRA bibliography. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Please write to the staff of the Lecture Apparatus Room: demos@phys.columbia.edu.