Coffee Mug on a String

Conservation of Angular Momentum Coffee Mug Demo

Turn physics into a show-stopping moment! This clever demonstration uses a simple coffee mug to illustrate how conservation of angular momentum and the exponential increase in friction prevent the mug from crashing to the floor. Entertaining and educational, it’s the perfect classroom or lecture demo.

Teaching Applications

• Conservation of Angular Momentum: Show how rotational motion stabilizes the system
• Friction Effects: Demonstrate how friction grows exponentially, dissipating energy to stop the fall
• Engaging Visual: Real-world props keep students curious and invested
• Multi-use Demo: Works for physics lectures, STEM classrooms, or science outreach shows

Easy to set up and fascinating to watch, the Coffee Mug Angular Momentum Demo is an entertaining way to bring abstract physics concepts to life.  We supply everything you need.