Physics Demo Number: 097

Approximate Run Time: 5 min

Palm Glass Apparatus For Boiling Liquid With Heat Input From Hands

Demo Description

Get the liquid to boil with the heat from the demonstrators hands.

 

Scientific Principles

  • Boiling

  • Heat Transfer

Equipment

  • Apparatus ( Glass Tube and Bulbs) as pictured

 

Equipment Location

  • In Kit [097] on [D-2-3]

Instructions

 The photo shows the bulbs resting in their support.

Cup both hands around one bulb to see the liquid in that bulb begin to boil and force all the liquid to the bulb on the other side.

NB: This is an extremely fragile apparatus which has a little glass tit on the bottom center of the connecting tube.  Be very careful  not to break that little tit off.

The lecturer should verify that  his/her hands are warm enough to achieve the desired effect before showing in class.

Benjamin Franklin is associated with this apparatus.

It was used by physicians to detect health problems in Franklin's era.
Writeup created by David A. Burba
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