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Bending time: The tubular water clock.

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Title: Bending time: The tubular water clock.
Authors: Zengel, Keith1 (AUTHOR) zengelk@wit.edu, Luu, Hong-An1 (AUTHOR), Stollman, Samuel1 (AUTHOR)
Source: American Journal of Physics. Nov2025, Vol. 93 Issue 11, p859-864. 6p.
Subjects: Time measurements, Physics laboratories, Problem solving, Mathematical analysis, Flow velocity, Scientific experimentation, Plastic pipe
Abstract: A water clock is a device that is either filled or drained and shows time through a changing water level. The ancient design challenge is to fashion a container where the water level rises or falls at a constant rate, and thus sweeps out equal height intervals in equal time intervals. Here, we present a new solution to this challenge that involves draining bent plastic tubes. This experiment may be used as an introductory physics lab activity that encourages creative problem solving, and can be adapted to the needs of calculus-based and algebra-based physics courses. Editor's Note: Water clocks go back to antiquity, using a container shaped so that its water level rises or falls at a constant rate to mark the passage of time. This paper describes an experiment where a flexible clear plastic tube is bent at an angle to the vertical; with the correct bending, a steady flow rate can be achieved. The paper presents the mathematical analysis of the flow and experimental results obtained with smartphone videos. The experiment can be conducted by students in a single laboratory session, during which they can test different tube shapes. Appropriate for both introductory and advanced students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of American Journal of Physics is the property of American Institute of Physics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22American+Journal+of+Physics%22">American Journal of Physics</searchLink>. Nov2025, Vol. 93 Issue 11, p859-864. 6p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Time+measurements%22">Time measurements</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physics+laboratories%22">Physics laboratories</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+solving%22">Problem solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematical+analysis%22">Mathematical analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Flow+velocity%22">Flow velocity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scientific+experimentation%22">Scientific experimentation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Plastic+pipe%22">Plastic pipe</searchLink>
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  Data: A water clock is a device that is either filled or drained and shows time through a changing water level. The ancient design challenge is to fashion a container where the water level rises or falls at a constant rate, and thus sweeps out equal height intervals in equal time intervals. Here, we present a new solution to this challenge that involves draining bent plastic tubes. This experiment may be used as an introductory physics lab activity that encourages creative problem solving, and can be adapted to the needs of calculus-based and algebra-based physics courses. Editor's Note: Water clocks go back to antiquity, using a container shaped so that its water level rises or falls at a constant rate to mark the passage of time. This paper describes an experiment where a flexible clear plastic tube is bent at an angle to the vertical; with the correct bending, a steady flow rate can be achieved. The paper presents the mathematical analysis of the flow and experimental results obtained with smartphone videos. The experiment can be conducted by students in a single laboratory session, during which they can test different tube shapes. Appropriate for both introductory and advanced students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of American Journal of Physics is the property of American Institute of Physics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=188856379
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        Value: 10.1119/5.0279843
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Problem solving
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      – SubjectFull: Mathematical analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Flow velocity
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      – SubjectFull: Plastic pipe
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              M: 11
              Text: Nov2025
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