Accelerometer
PIRA: 1G20.76
Overview:
When there is no acceleration, the liquid will stay level. When there is acceleration, the liquid will move and create a slope. The acceleration can be measured by this slope. When it is linear acceleration, like on a cart, the slope will also be linear. With a turntable, the slope becomes a parabola, showing how the acceleration increases as you move outwards from the center of rotation. Fun fact: some telescopes use liquid metal on a turntable as a mirror, and by adjusting the speed, they can adjust the focal point.
Materials:
Accelerometer
Red liquid (should be with accelerometer)
Turntable
Duck tape
Screwdriver
Setup:
Remove the screws on the accelerometer, and carefully fill it with the red liquid until it reaches the middle line with the numbers on it. Put the screws back in and make sure they are tight enough to make a water-tight seal, but not so tight that the accelerometer could crack. Place the accelerometer on the turntable and center it. Make sure the center of the container is on the center of the turntable and not the base. Use duct tape to secure the accelerometer onto the turntable.
How to:
Spin the turntable and observe the graph at different speeds.
Safety:
Be careful that the accelerometer does not break. The red liquid will dye everything that it touches.