Siphoning Chains

A siphon is a pipe or a tube used for example in engineering and home brewing to transfer liquid from one container to another. In this experiment you can try siphoning using a chain. Each end of the chain is attached to a container on either end of a balance bar. When the bar tilts one way, the equilibrium is lost and the chain moves to that side until it is restored. The siphoning effect is created by the gravitational force exerted on the chain. The lower part of the chain creates the movement. The traction of the container with the most chain in it is bigger as it is longer and therefore heavier.