This is the second in a series of two articles on using antique devices to teach introductory physics. As mentioned in the first article, students can more clearly see the physics required for the operation of antique devices than for modern-day technological devices. This article will discuss antiques used to teach vibrations and waves, electricity and magnetism, and optics. In addition, a description of possible sources for obtaining antiques will help those interested in pursuing these ideas.
References
1.
J.W.
Jewett
, “Bringing (century-old) technology into the classroom, Part I: Teaching mechanics and thermodynamics with antiques
,” Phys. Teach.
53
, 428
(Oct.
2015
). 2.
Acoustic horn systems are discussed in
J. D.
Sagers
, A. R.
McNeese
, R. D.
Lenhart
, and P. S.
Wilson
, “Analysis of a homemade Edison tinfoil phonograph
,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am.
132
, 2173
(2012
). 3
A number of electromagnetic devices used in medicine and introduced here are discussed in
C. T.
de la Peña
, The Body Electric: How Strange Machines Built the Modern American
(New York University Press
, New York
, 2003
) andD. P.
Currier
, Guide to Electrotherapy Instruments and History of Their American Makers
(Infinity Publishing
, Concord, MA
, 2004
).4.
Drawings and photographs of medical Wimshurst machines are available at http://www.coe.ufrj.br/~acmq/medicalmachines/.
5.
The Theronoid was a successful follow-up to the original magnetic collar, called the I-ON-A-CO, invented and sold in 1926 by Henry Gaylord Wilshire, after whom Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles is named.
8.
http://ww.museumofquackery.com. This museum closed in 2002, and its collection was donated to the Science Museum of Minnesota. Images of devices are at present still available on its website.
© 2016 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2016
American Association of Physics Teachers
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