Laser Soap Fountain

We have developed an eye-catching demonstration that showcases a variety of physics topics from total internal reflection to electrostatics to non-Newtonian fluid dynamics, including the Kaye effect. The essential components of the demonstration include a vertical stream of liquid soap in which a la...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Physics teacher Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 10 - 12
Main Authors Foley, Tyler, Pegram, Matthew, Jenkins, Zachary, Hester, Brooke C, Burris, Jennifer L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published American Association of Physics Teachers 01.01.2015
Subjects
College Science
Demonstrations (Educational)
Elementary School Science
Laboratory Equipment
Outreach Programs
Physics
Science Instruction
Scientific Concepts
Secondary School Science
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Summary:We have developed an eye-catching demonstration that showcases a variety of physics topics from total internal reflection to electrostatics to non-Newtonian fluid dynamics, including the Kaye effect. The essential components of the demonstration include a vertical stream of liquid soap in which a laser pointer is internally reflected, and which subsequently hits an inclined plane. As the liquid soap, a non-Newtonian fluid, begins to accumulate into a pile, its shear properties change and the incoming fluid rebounds from the pile, forming striking parabolic arcs. We present here a readily reproducible and inexpensive version of a laser soap fountain.
ISSN:0031-921X
DOI:10.1119/1.4904232