Diffusion Cloud Chamber

A zipped mpeg file of a school cloud chamber in action, with alpha particle tracks clearly visible. Can't get hold of dry ice? Never mind, you can show this video instead.
Running time approx 1 minute, VHS quality.
The visibility of the particle tracks depends on viewing conditions, thus you may need to adjust your screen contrast or brightness.
Unzips to approx 18Mb. May contain nuts.

Download CloudChamberVHS.zip (7.9Mb)

Infra Red Remote Control

We all know that TV remote controls give off infra-red radiation that we can't see, but not everyone realises that digital cameras and camcorders can see infra red. In fact, their CCD chips pick up infra red all too well, and manufacturers need to correct for this (unless you want your home movies to look like extracts from "Predator". On the other hand, have you met my family...) Anyway, if you point a remote control at a digital camera or camcorder, you can clearly see the LED flashing when you press a button.

This file is a zipped mpeg of this in action, handy when talking about conduction / convection / radiation, or about the electromagnetic spectrum.

Tip - if you're teaching this, I bet that several of the pupils in front of you have camera phones on them. Borrow one, and you'll find that the camera on the phone can see infra-red from remote controls too.

Science Words vocabulary sheet

An A4 sheet, listing most of the specialised words which are needed by students in Years 7 to 11.

This could be photocopied up to A3 size for use as a wall display, or reduced and issued to students. It's intended primarily for special needs, but would make a useful addition to the back of anybody's exercise book.

I've saved it in Word 97 format, as a PDF file, and as straight text.