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The PIRA Demonstration Classification Scheme

The goal of the PIRA Demonstration Classification Scheme is to create a logically organized and universally inclusive taxonomy giving a unique number to every lecture demonstration. The structure of the classification system is as follows:

Example: 1D60.10 howitzer and tunnel

1 Area (mechanics)
D Topic (motion in two dimensions)
60 Concept (projectile motion)
.10 Demonstration (howitzer and tunnel)

The topic and concept divisions of the structure loosely follow the standard textbook organization of chapter and section, although they were created to organize existing demonstrations, not cover the entirety of elementary physics, and therefore skip some areas of the curriculum covered by standard textbooks. The standard curriculum has changed over the years and categories have been created to contain the many demonstrations rendered obsolete by modern textbooks. Some single concept films, videos, and computer programs are sometimes included but such resources have not been systematically identified.

  • Mechanics
    • 1A- Measurement
    • 1C- Motion in One Dimension
    • 1D. Motion in Two Dimensions
    • 1E- Relative Motion
    • 1F- Newton's First Law
    • 1G- Newton's Second Law
    • 1H- Newton's Third Law
    • 1J- Statistics of Rigid Bodies
    • 1K- Applications of Newton's Laws
    • 1L- Gravity
    • 1M- Work and Energy
    • 1N- Linear Momentum
    • 1Q- Rotational Dynamics
    • 1R- Properties of Matter
  • Fluid Mechanics
    • 2A- Surface Tension
    • 2B- Statics of Fluids
    • 2C- Dynamics of Fluids
  • Oscillations and Waves
    • 3A- Oscillations
    • 3B- Wave Motion
    • 3C- Acoustics
    • 3D- Instruments
    • 3E- Sound Reproduction
  • Thermodynamics
    • 4A- Thermal Properties of Matter
    • 4B- Heat and the First Law
    • 4C- Change of State
    • 4D- Kinetic Theory
    • 4E- Gas Law
    • 4F- Entropy and the Second Law
  • Electricity and Magnetism
    • 5A- Electrostatics
    • 5B- Electric Fields and Potential
    • 5C- Capacitance
    • 5D- Resistance
    • 5E- Electromotive Force and Current
    • 5F- DC Circuits
    • 5G- Magnetic Materials
    • 5H- Magnetic Fields and Forces
    • 5J- Inductance
    • 5K- Electromagnetic Induction
    • 5L- AC Circuits
    • 5M- Semiconductors and Tubes
    • 5N- Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Optics
    • 6A- Geometrical Optics
    • 6B- Photometry
    • 6C- Diffraction
    • 6D- Interference
    • 6F- Color
    • 6H- Polarization
    • 6J- The Eye
    • 6Q- Modern Optics
  • Modern Physics
    • 7A- Quantum Effects
    • 7B- Atomic Physics
    • 7D- Nuclear Physics
    • 7E- Elementary Particles
    • 7F- Relativity
  • Astronomy
    • 8A- Planetary Astronomy
    • 8B- Stellar Astronomy
    • 8C- Cosmology
  • Equipment
    • 9A- Support Systems
    • 9B- Electronic
    • 9C- Mechanical
Pira200 Lecture Demonstrations