ClipArt ETC

The General Physics ClipArt gallery offers 239 images showing principles of the science and proof of theorems. Physics is the science of basic concepts such as energy and force.

Magdeburg Hemispheres. This model is used to show that atmospheric pressure is equal in all directions. It was invented by Otto Von Guericke, of Magdeburg - hence the name.

Magdeburg Hemispheres

Magdeburg Hemispheres. This model is used to show that atmospheric pressure is equal in all directions.…

Velocity of efflux. The area of the bottom of the vessel is a and the area of the top of the vessel is A. Velocity v is given by the v = sqrt((2gh)/(1-a^2/A^2))

Hydromechanics

Velocity of efflux. The area of the bottom of the vessel is a and the area of the top of the vessel…

When the diameter of a tube is narrower in one part when compared to the other parts (a and b), then the efflux coefficient will be larger than the coefficient if the diameter were the same throughout the tube.

Hydromechanics

When the diameter of a tube is narrower in one part when compared to the other parts (a and b), then…

The water in this example is subjected to the same laws as a projectile. The range can be calculated by taking the initial velocity of the projectile (aka velocity of efflux).

Hydromechanics

The water in this example is subjected to the same laws as a projectile. The range can be calculated…

A hydrometer of constant weight. This device measures the specific gravity of liquids. The specific gravity is the ratio of the density of the liquid to the density of the water

Hydrometer

A hydrometer of constant weight. This device measures the specific gravity of liquids. The specific…

A hollow cylinder carrying a basket at its lower end, which is heavy enough to keep the apparatus upright when placed in water. At the top of the apparatus is a pan for holding weights.

Nicholson's Hydrometer

A hollow cylinder carrying a basket at its lower end, which is heavy enough to keep the apparatus upright…

"The principle of increased velocity as bodies descend from a height, is curiously illustrated by pouring molasses or thick syrup from an elevation to the ground. The bulky stream, of perhaps two inches in diameter where it leaves the vessel, as it descends, is reduced to the size of a straw, or knitting-needle; but what it wants in bulk is made up in velocity, for the small stream at the ground will fill a vessel just as soon as the large one at the outlet." —Comstock, 1850

Increased Velocity

"The principle of increased velocity as bodies descend from a height, is curiously illustrated by pouring…

"While his horse is going at full speed, he jumps over a rope extended across the ring, and regains his footing on the saddle without difficultly. To do this, he has only to leap straight up as he comes to the rope, for his inertia bears him along in the same direction as the horse." —Quackenbos 1859

Inertia Demonstration

"While his horse is going at full speed, he jumps over a rope extended across the ring, and regains…

"... a thin stick resting on two wine glasses may be broken by a quick blow with a poker in its centre (sic), without injury to its brittle supports." —Quackenbos 1859

Inertia Demonstration

"... a thin stick resting on two wine glasses may be broken by a quick blow with a poker in its centre…

"So a hare, in making for cover, often escapes a hound by making a number of quick turns. The greater inertia of the hound carries him to far, and thus obliges him to pass over a greater space, as seen [here], in which the continuous line shows the hare's path and the dotted line the hound's." —Quackenbos 1859

Inertia Demonstration

"So a hare, in making for cover, often escapes a hound by making a number of quick turns. The greater…

"... balance a card with a penny placed upon it on the tip of one of the fingers of the left hand, and strike it suddenly with the middle finger of the right hand, as represented [here]." —Quackenbos 1859

Inertia Demonstration

"... balance a card with a penny placed upon it on the tip of one of the fingers of the left hand, and…

"On the top of a short pillar is placed a card, and on the card a brass ball. Beside the pillar is fixed a steel spring, with an apparatus for drawing it back. If the spring is drawn back and the suddenly released, it will drive the card from the top of the pillar, while the ball in consequence of its inertia will retain its place." —Quackenbos 1859

Inertia Demonstration

"On the top of a short pillar is placed a card, and on the card a brass ball. Beside the pillar is fixed…

The Eddy Tailless Kite (named so after its inventor, Eddy of Bayonne), is a tailless kite. The convex surface exposed to the wind enables a tail to be dispensed.

Eddy Tailless Kite

The Eddy Tailless Kite (named so after its inventor, Eddy of Bayonne), is a tailless kite. The convex…

The tailless java kite resemble the kite used by Eddy of Bayonne, N.J. in 1890. This kite is tailess.

Java Kite

The tailless java kite resemble the kite used by Eddy of Bayonne, N.J. in 1890. This kite is tailess.

A machine designed to suppress the dead space which limits the efficiency of ordinary air-pumps.

Kravogl's Air-pump

A machine designed to suppress the dead space which limits the efficiency of ordinary air-pumps.

An image summarizing Pascal's law, which states that pressure of a liquid is equal in all directions provided that the pressure ratio is the same.

Pascal's Law

An image summarizing Pascal's law, which states that pressure of a liquid is equal in all directions…

An illustration of what it would look like if ball e that is placed in a cup attached to lever o were to be pushed out by using a swinging arm activated by spring d. Spring d is arranged in a manner that when it is drawn back and released, it will strive lever o and ball b at the same time. In the experiment, ball b follows the curved line and ball e is dropped vertically. Both will meet the floor at the same time. This experiment is meant to show how Newton's second law works. The acceleration of a body is parallel and directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to the mass. F = ma

Second Law

An illustration of what it would look like if ball e that is placed in a cup attached to lever o were…

Leveling is an operation in which the object is to determine to difference of vertical height between two given points.

Levelling

Leveling is an operation in which the object is to determine to difference of vertical height between…

An old fashioned weight lifter. A is a plug s the air stays compressed. B is the rod portion of a piston.

Weight Lifter

An old fashioned weight lifter. A is a plug s the air stays compressed. B is the rod portion of a piston.

"The radiation of light, or the intensity of light is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the light source." —Croft 1917

Light Intensity

"The radiation of light, or the intensity of light is inversely proportional to the square of the distance…

This apparatus illustrates the principle stating that liquids tend to find their own level.

Vessels in Communication

This apparatus illustrates the principle stating that liquids tend to find their own level.

Liquids of varying densities. Illustration of an unsuccessful scheme for a perpetual-motion device.

Liquids of Varying Densities

Liquids of varying densities. Illustration of an unsuccessful scheme for a perpetual-motion device.

"The Atwood machine consists of a wheel or pulley, R, over the grooved edge of which are balanced two equal weights suspended by a long silk thread which is both light and strong. The axle of this wheel is preferably supported upon the circumfrences of four friction wheels, r, r, r', r', for greater delicacy of motion. As the thread is so light that its weight may be disregarded, it is evident that the weights will be in equilibrium whatever their position." — Avery, 1895

Atwood Machine

"The Atwood machine consists of a wheel or pulley, R, over the grooved edge of which are balanced two…

Two hemispheres which can be exactly fitted on each other; their exact adjustment is further assisted by a projecting internal rim, with is smeared with lard.

Magdeburg Hemisphere

Two hemispheres which can be exactly fitted on each other; their exact adjustment is further assisted…

"By means of the two hemispheres, it can be proved that the atmosphere presses upon a body equally in all directions. This device was invented by Otto Von Guericke, of Magdeburg, and is called the Magdeburg hemispheres." — Hallock, 1905

Magdeburg Hemispheres

"By means of the two hemispheres, it can be proved that the atmosphere presses upon a body equally in…

"Grease the edges to make more sure of a tight joint, fit the hemispheres to each other, and exhaust the air with a pump. Close the stopcock, remove the hemispheres from the pump, attach the second handle, and, holding the hemispheres in different positions, try to pull them apart. When you are sure that the pressure that holds them together is exerted inall directions, place them under the receiver of the air pump, and exhaust the air from around them. The pressure seems to be removed, for the hemispheres fall apart of their own weight." -Avery 1895

Magdeburg Hemispheres

"Grease the edges to make more sure of a tight joint, fit the hemispheres to each other, and exhaust…

Magnetic attraction on inclined plane. Illustration of an unsuccessful scheme for a perpetual-motion device.

Magnetic Attraction

Magnetic attraction on inclined plane. Illustration of an unsuccessful scheme for a perpetual-motion…

Magnetic pendulum, rotating field principle. Illustration of an unsuccessful scheme for a perpetual-motion device.

Magnetic Pendulum

Magnetic pendulum, rotating field principle. Illustration of an unsuccessful scheme for a perpetual-motion…

Koenig's manometric flame apparatus was a laboratory instrument invented in 1862 by the German physicist Rudolph Koenig, and used to visualize sound waves. It was the nearest equivalent of the modern oscilloscope in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Manometric Flame Apparatus

Koenig's manometric flame apparatus was a laboratory instrument invented in 1862 by the German physicist…

This is an apparatus employed to obtain a uniform flow of water. The device provides a constant pressure delivering a constant rate of flow.

Mariotte's Bottle

This is an apparatus employed to obtain a uniform flow of water. The device provides a constant pressure…

Example of the parallelogram of force, or the application of two forces on an object.

Elementary Mechanics

Example of the parallelogram of force, or the application of two forces on an object.

Friction is the tendency of a body to resist movement when it is being moved on a surface. The coefficient of friction is the ratio between the resistance of the motion and the perpendicular pressure between the surfaces as shown. P/W

Elementary Mechanics

Friction is the tendency of a body to resist movement when it is being moved on a surface. The coefficient…

Passage of gases through membranes.

Gas Membranes

Passage of gases through membranes.

When gases of different densities are inclosed in the same space an intimate mixture takes place, so that each gas becomes uniformly diffused throughout the entire space.

Mixture of Gases

When gases of different densities are inclosed in the same space an intimate mixture takes place, so…

"Device used to prove that all things fall at the same rate due to gravity. When the device is triggered, one object is dropped while anothe object is shot horizontally from within, with the result being that both objects strike the ground at the same time." —Hallock 1905

Projectile Motion

"Device used to prove that all things fall at the same rate due to gravity. When the device is triggered,…

An illustration of Sir Isaac Newton sitting on the ground being hit by an apple falling out of a tree and discovering the law of gravity.

Isaac Newton Discovering Gravity

An illustration of Sir Isaac Newton sitting on the ground being hit by an apple falling out of a tree…

Waves are swimming motions of the water, caused by the action of the wind. Their height and velocity deepen on the forces of the wind, and depth of the basin in which they occur. The stronger the wind, and the deeper the ocean, the higher the waves and the greater their velocity.

Ocean Wave

Waves are swimming motions of the water, caused by the action of the wind. Their height and velocity…

Osmosis of liquids.

Liquid Osmosis

Osmosis of liquids.

Overbalancing wheel, gravity principle. Illustration of an unsuccessful scheme for a perpetual-motion device.

Overbalancing Wheel

Overbalancing wheel, gravity principle. Illustration of an unsuccessful scheme for a perpetual-motion…

"A pendulum has a strong tendency to maintain its plane of oscillation, a fact that has been used in the experimental demonstration of the earth upon its axis. The chief function of the wheel-work of a clock is to register the number of vibrations of the pendulum. If the clock gains time, the pendulum is lengthened by lowering the bob, if it loses time, the pendulum is shortened by raising the bob." — Avery, 1895

Pendulum

"A pendulum has a strong tendency to maintain its plane of oscillation, a fact that has been used in…

"A pendulum consists of a heavy ball suspended in such a way as to swing to and fro." —Quackenbos 1859

Pendulum

"A pendulum consists of a heavy ball suspended in such a way as to swing to and fro." —Quackenbos…

"From a cross piece, A, on a stout framework, a heavy block of wood, B, is suspended, in such a way as to move freely backward and forward. A ball fired into this block will drive it back to a distance proportioned to the ball's velocity. All other things being known, the ball's velocity can be discovered." —Quackenbos 1859

Ballistic Pendulum

"From a cross piece, A, on a stout framework, a heavy block of wood, B, is suspended, in such a way…

"When the pendulum is drawn from its vertical position, the force of gravity, MG, is resolved into two components, one of which, MC, produces pressure at the point of support, while the other, MH, acts at right angles to it, producing motion toward N." -Avery 1895

Motion of a Pendulum

"When the pendulum is drawn from its vertical position, the force of gravity, MG, is resolved into two…

"When the pendulum hands at rest in a vertical position, as Pa, it has no energy at all. Considered as a mass of matter seperate from the earth; it certainly has potential energy; but considered as a pendulum, it has not." — Avery, 1895

Path of a pendulum

"When the pendulum hands at rest in a vertical position, as Pa, it has no energy at all. Considered…

"Firmly fasten one end of a piece of spring-brass wire, about No. 27 and about 1 m. long so that the wire hangs vertical. To the lower end of the wire fasten a weight of 75 or 100 g. To this weight attach a pointer so that it extends horizontally from the direction of the wire. Turn the weight througha considerable angle, thus twisting the wire. Release the weight, and notice the rapid movements of the pointer of the torsional pendulum." -Avery 1895

Torsional Pendulum

"Firmly fasten one end of a piece of spring-brass wire, about No. 27 and about 1 m. long so that the…

"An apparatus devised by Mach for the illustration of the pendular motions of the particles of a medium transmitting waves of any kind, longitudinal or transverse, stationary or progressive." — Avery, 1895

Line of pendulums

"An apparatus devised by Mach for the illustration of the pendular motions of the particles of a medium…

Mercury, water, and oil are poured into a glass jar. The mercury goes to the bottom, the oil floats at the top, the surfaces of contact are seen to be horizontal.

Phial of the Four Elements

Mercury, water, and oil are poured into a glass jar. The mercury goes to the bottom, the oil floats…

A device used for demonstrating the elastic properties of materials.

Physics demonstration

A device used for demonstrating the elastic properties of materials.

The part of the pipe that is above the highest piston travel point is the delivery pipe and the part at the lowest point is the suction pipe. This is a larger scale of a lifting pump.

Delivery Pipe

The part of the pipe that is above the highest piston travel point is the delivery pipe and the part…

A pipette is a laboratory instrument used for transporting a volume of liquid. If one end is closed with a finger, the efflux of the liquid will cease immediately.

Pipette

A pipette is a laboratory instrument used for transporting a volume of liquid. If one end is closed…

Tension is the force which a gas always exerts when confined to a limited space. In the example, a partially filled football is placed in a glass jar (a receiver) from which air has been exhausted. The football immediately expands. This experiment also works with a bladder. A branch of mechanics that deals with the properties of gases is called pneumatics.

Pneumatics

Tension is the force which a gas always exerts when confined to a limited space. In the example, a partially…

A barometer is a device used to measure the pressure of the atmosphere. A mercurial barometer, picture shown, uses mercury to show the atmospheric pressure, much like it did for a thermometer.

Pneumatics

A barometer is a device used to measure the pressure of the atmosphere. A mercurial barometer, picture…

An aneroid barometer. This device is used to measure atmospheric pressure.

Pneumatics

An aneroid barometer. This device is used to measure atmospheric pressure.

"In the apparatus shown... three forces act on a small body and are allowed to assume a position of equilibrium. A triangle is then constructed with sides parallel respectively to the three forces; it will be found by measurement that the sides are also the lengths proportional to the forces, and as will be seen the arrowheads point concurrently round the triangle.

Polygon of Forces

"In the apparatus shown... three forces act on a small body and are allowed to assume a position of…

A baroscope, which is a version of the barometer. It measures atmospheric pressure.

Pressure

A baroscope, which is a version of the barometer. It measures atmospheric pressure.

An experimental verification of the Principle of Archimedes.

Experimental Verification of Principle of Archimedes

An experimental verification of the Principle of Archimedes.

An illustration of Archimedes Principle. "If a body is immersed in a fluid, it will lose in weight an amount equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.

Archimedes Principle

An illustration of Archimedes Principle. "If a body is immersed in a fluid, it will lose in weight an…

"Suppose a cannon be loaded with a ball, and placed on top of a tower, at such a height from the ground, that it would take just three seconds for the ball to descend from it to the ground, if let fall perpendicularly. Now, suppose the cannon to be fired in an exact horizontal direction, and at the same instant, the ball to be dropped towards the ground. They will both reach the ground at the same instant..." -Comstock 1850

Projectile Motion of a Cannonball

"Suppose a cannon be loaded with a ball, and placed on top of a tower, at such a height from the ground,…

"[This illustration] shows the path of a stone thrown obliquely from the hand. The propelling force sends it in a straight line to A, and would take it on in the same direction to B, were it not that, as soon as its velocity becomes sufficiently diminished, gravity and the air's resistance give it a circular motion to C, and finally bring it to the earth at D." —Quackenbos 1859

Projectile Motion of a Stone

"[This illustration] shows the path of a stone thrown obliquely from the hand. The propelling force…

"Thus, we have a cannon planted on a towwer at such a height that it would take four seconds for a ball to fall from it to the ground. Dropped from the cannon's mouth, in the first second a ball would reach A; in the next, B; in the third, C; and in the fourth D." —Quackenbos 1859

Projectile Motion of a Cannon Ball

"Thus, we have a cannon planted on a towwer at such a height that it would take four seconds for a ball…