Many demonstrations in this introductory mechanics course were presented to further the understanding of the topics and to provide a chance for a bit of fun.

Milk jug rockets that contained evaporated alcohol were set off with the intention of displaying conservation of momentum, and to watch these objects fly across the classroom and collide with the wall. Another example of momentum conservation was demonstrated with Coca Cola cans containing firecrackers in much the same way.

Milk jug rockets that contained evaporated alcohol were set off with the intention of displaying conservation of momentum, and to watch these objects fly across the classroom and collide with the wall. Another example of momentum conservation was demonstrated with Coca Cola cans containing firecrackers in much the same way.

The classic example of oscillation by a spring with a mass attached was shown when Dr. Ingersent jumped on a neon pink and green pogo stick. When studying center of mass, a large map of Florida was pivoted at several points and lines were drawn to locate the center of gravity of the sunshine state.

But surely the most talked about demonstration of the semester took place the last day of class, when Dr. Ingersent lay on a bed of nails and had a cement block cracked on his chest. Other than pure entertainment, this demo was related to physics in two ways, both concerning the amount of pain the person would experience in this act. The pain due to the nails was reduced by the larger surface area and amount of nails included in the board, plus the fact that your back contains less nerve endings than other areas of your body such as your hand. After the second bed of nails was laid on our professor's chest, a thick rubber block was laid on top and then the cement block. The rubber added to the mass, which reduced the velocity of the hammer and the total pain endured. Dr. Ingersent mentioned having bruised ribs for a few weeks after doing this demo without the rubber block. He also mentioned that he performs this exciting demonstration for every introductory physics course he teaches, so for those in 2060 - enjoy!