The Dropping Pins Experiment

Aim:

To observe conduction along a metal rod

Equipment:

A metal rod
Retort stand
Clamp
Bunsen Burner
Petroleum Jelly
5-10 Drawing pins
A stopwatch.

Method:

1. Set up and light a bunsen burner
2. Smear a small amount of petroleum jelly on to the head of each drawing pin
3. Attach the drawing pins at even intervals along the length of the metal rod.
4. Clamp one end of the metal rod to a retort stand.
5. Position the retort stand so the unclamped end of the metal rod is in the Bunsen flame and start the stopwatch
6. Record the time it takes for each pin to drop in the table below.

Results:

P 1 - 0:48

P 2 -  1:46

P 3 - 2:48

P 4 - 5:15

P 5 - 21:29 (We used a bit too much Petroleum Jelly so we had to push it off. :l) 

Discussion:  

When we heat up the end of the "metal rod," conduction causes the heat to transfer down the rod and into the pins. This caused the particles to move and the pins to fall off.