Some of the most important moments in my classroom are when we get to experience the science that we are talking about in interesting and exciting ways. This is an ever-growing collection of my favorite demonstrations and mini challenges that use in my physics classes.

Forces

Using egg cartons to model and visualize friction between surfaces in contact
Introducing normal force by using a simple laser apparatus to show the flexing of a solid wall 
Introduce forces on a ramp by revealing that electronic balances don't actually measure mass (or weight)

Waves

Using a green laser to ignite a match
​Using phone cameras and thermal imaging to make infrared light visible
​"Painting" designs on glow-in-the-dark materials using ultraviolet light
Visualizing microwaves by microwaving a fluorescent light bulb
Measuring the speed of sound with a crude time delay experience
​Tutorial on how to build an "ear switcher" that uses speed of sound to trick the brain
​Using "domino waves" as a visible model to help explain how the medium affects the speed of sound 
Using thermal putty to locate the antinodes of a standing waves in a microwave to confirm the speed of light
Using sound waves to trap/levitate objects and visualize standing waves
​Hands-on investigation with wave transparencies to test the mathematical model of the double slit experiment
​Using polarized filters to create a "Pirate Effect" for someone wearing 3D glasses
​Tutorial on how to create a "magic screen" that only reveals the image through a polarized filter.

Electricity

​Using static electricity to imitate a helium balloon
​Collection of plasma ball demonstrations
​Discharging a Van de Graaff generator through a graphite drawing