A Cartesian diver can be held suspended in a liquid in which there is a density gradient decreasing from bottom to the top if the density of the diver is between those of the liquid at the top and the bottom. This article adds to a number of Cartesian diver activities published in TPT.1 In a tall beaker of water, a large amount of sugar is added to the bottom. As the sugar dissolves at the bottom, a density gradient, decreasing from bottom to the top, is set up.
Topics
Educational aids
REFERENCES
1.
See, for example,
Hasan
Fakhruddin
, “Cartesian diver and riser
,” Phys. Teach
41
, 53
(Jan. 2003
);R. M.
Graham
, “An extremely sensitive Cartesian diver
,” Phys. Teach.
32
, 182
–183
(March 1994
);R. B.
Knollenberg
III, “An automated Cartesian diver apparatus
,” Phys. Teach.
27
, 51
(Jan. 1989
);E. V.
Lee
, “Cartesian diver with pressure head
,” Phys. Teach.
19
, 416
(Sept. 1981
);H.
Kruglak
, “The rising Cartesian diver
,” Phys. Teach.
13
, 68
–69
(Feb. 1975
); andR. N.
Jones
, “The Cartesian diver
,” Phys. Teach.
11
, 345
(Sept. 1973
).
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2011 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2011
American Association of Physics Teachers
AAPT members receive access to The Physics Teacher and the American Journal of Physics as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.