A1-32: VOLUMES - SPHERICAL VS CYLINDRICAL

ID Code: A1-32
Purpose: Illustrate a volume perception paradox
Description: Water filling the graduated cylinder is poured into the apparently smaller spherical flask.
Before pouring the water, ask your students if the amount of water in the cylinder will:
(a) not fill up the sphere,
(b) fill up the flask to somewhere along the cylindrical neck, or
(c) fill up the flask before the cylinder is emptied.
See the photograph below for the answer.
Availability: Available

See the Physics Question of the Week for 1/26/2015 for an example of how this demonstration can be used in class interaction and discussion: lecdem.physics.umd.edu/question-of-the-week-archive.html