Embark on a fascinating 37-minute journey exploring the versatile world of springs in this educational video from The Royal Institution. Discover the crucial role of springs in various applications, from pocket watches to vintage car suspensions. Delve into the history of chronometers, examining the contributions of John Harrison. Explore the mechanics of mainsprings and hairsprings, and witness the charm of spring-driven toys. Investigate the intricacies of a broken mainspring and gain an introduction to metallurgy. Engage with hands-on experiments involving spring steel, and learn about leaf spring and helical suspension systems in automobiles. Throughout the video, enjoy the enthusiastic guidance of chemist and teacher Andrew Szydlo, known for his engaging demonstrations and occasional use of a blowtorch to illustrate key concepts.
Overview
Syllabus
- A spring driven pocketwatch
- John Harrison and the first chronometer
- Mainsprings and hairsprings
- Spring driven toys
- Investigating a broken mainspring
- An introduction to metallurgy
- Experiments with spring steel
- Leaf spring suspension
- Helical suspension springs
Taught by
The Royal Institution
