Grad Students Lead the Greatest Show in Classical Physics

March 15, 2017 • by Steven E. Franklin

Glowing electric pickles, flaming money, and flying toilet paper help the Physics Circus at The University of Texas at Austin teach science to non-physicists, especially school children. Now a new matching gift will make it possible to maintain the program and its legacy, so that thousands more young students can benefit from the Circus fun.

Tess Bernard demonstrates what happens when air in a balloon is cooled in liquid nitrogen.

Tess Bernard demonstrates what happens when air in a balloon is cooled in liquid nitrogen.


Scott Luedtke uses a leaf blower to lower the air pressure above a ball, causing it to levitate over Tess Bernard. Austin Gleeson observes from the sidelines.

Scott Luedtke uses a leaf blower to lower the air pressure above a ball, causing it to levitate over Tess Bernard. Austin Gleeson observes from the sidelines.

Jeremy Paster attempts to hammer a nail with a frozen banana as Tom Hartsfield warily holds the nail.

Jeremy Paster attempts to hammer a nail with a frozen banana as Tom Hartsfield warily holds the nail.

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