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Siphon

Purpose

To illustrate how a siphon works.

Equipment

Two beakers with plastic hose.

Suggestions

If you think you know how a siphon works, use this in conjunction with the chain model (F4-32) and◙discuss the question: Will a mercury siphon work on the moon, in the absence of an atmosphere?

Images

f4-31

Description

Fill both beakers and the connecting tube with water. Raising either beaker causes water to flow from the upper to the lower beaker.◙

References

Little Thinker, Mental Gymnastics (Siphon Pump), TPT 2, 139-140, (1964). ◙Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., A Potpourri of Siphons, TPT 15, 425-426, (1977). ◙E. C. Watson, Reproductions of Prints, Drawings, and Paintings of Interest in the History of Physics, AJP 22, 390-393,(1954). A. Potter and F. H. Barnes, The Siphon, Physics Education, 362-367, (Sept. 1971). ◙Henry S. Badeer and James W. Hicks, Role of Viscous Resistance in Siphon Flow, TPT 28, 558-559 (1990). Raymond E. Benenson, The Hyphenated Siphon, TPT 29, 188 (1991).