Maxwell's Wheel on a Stand

Maxwell's Wheel on a Stand – Educational Demonstration Aid

This classic teaching tool visually demonstrates the conservation of energy and the transformation between potential energy and kinetic energy. Maxwell's Wheel on a Stand is a traditional educational device used to illustrate how energy is preserved and exchanged between forms during motion.

The wheel, with its axle serving as a handle, is suspended from a stand at two support points. The experiment involves winding cords around the axles and pulling the wheel upward, then releasing it freely. As the wheel descends, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy; as it rises again, kinetic energy is transformed back into potential energy. The cycle continues until all energy is dissipated by friction (without friction, the device would resemble a perpetual motion machine).

Demonstration diameter – the wheel has a diameter of at least 9 cm.

• Classic educational demonstration of energy conservation and energy transformations (potential to kinetic and back)
• Wheel with an axle used as a handle, suspended on a stand at two points
• Experiment involves winding cords around the axles, lifting the wheel, and releasing it to observe energy exchange
• Diameter of the wheel: at least 9 cm