arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Fernando L. da Silveira.
A calculation is presented which quantitatively accounts for the terminal velocity of a cylindrical magnet falling through a long copper or aluminum pipe. The experiment and the theory are a dramatic illustration of the Faraday's and Lenz's laws and are bound to capture student's attention in any electricity and magnetism course.
Two identical rubber balloons are partially inflated with air (to different extent) and connected by a hose with a valve. It is found that depending on balloon volumes, when the valve is opened the air will flow either from the larger (fuller) balloon to the smaller (emptier) balloon, or from the smaller balloon to the larger one. The phenomenon is explained in terms of the non-ideal rubber elasticity of balloons. The full phase diagram for the air flow dynamics is constructed.