Hey everyone! I just started university and I have a science project due at the end of the semester. I'm thinking of creating a spinning platform that I can control the speed of to demonstrate the Doppler effect. Originally, I thought about using a drill to make it spin, but that would create noise and interfere with my presentation. Does anyone have suggestions for how to make this work?
1 Answer
I’d recommend getting a small DC motor with a motor speed controller. These are usually pretty affordable and should run quietly enough for your project. To ensure it spins at a low speed, you could use a belt or rim drive. Check out designs of record players for some inspiration, as they’re built to be smooth and quiet while controlling speed. You might find some useful techniques there!
You might also think about using gears instead of a controller to adjust the RPM mechanically. If you're watching the budget, there might be a 3D printer available at your school or library that you can use!