MINI-INTERACTIVES:
Things
that move | Invisible Forces
| Shining & seeing | Patterns
in water | Touring etc.
| Hong Kong
Installed in a school library (a short video clip)
Shining
and seeing
Press and hold down the small red button and slowly turn the
large red knob until you can see the laser beam.
You can slide the knob as well as turn it.
How many things can you discover about how a laser beam shines through
triangular glass prisms?
Look at the two black discs after warming them with your hands.
The heat-sensitive liquid crystal surface changes colour
as it becomes warmer.
One disc is sensitive to temperature changes between 20° and 25°C.
The other is sensitive between 25° and 30°C. Can you tell which
is which? Can you think of more experiments to try?
This is not an original idea, but provides plenty of scope for enjoyable
experimentation. there is another black bead on a post between the two
facing mirrors. The nearest mirror has a central peep-hole giving an 'infinity
tunnel' effect. Moving either mirror causes the 'tunnel' to 'bend'.
What is the relationship between the angle between the two hinged mirrors
and the number of bead-reflections that can be seen?
Shaped pieces of coloured paper can also be laid out between the mirrors
to explore patterns and symmetry reversals.
Gently squeeze together the ends of the tuning fork and trap them
inside the black cap.
Pull off the cap so the ends of the tuning fork spring apart and vibrate.
Try toughing the vibrating ends softly with your finger or a piece of
paper. Can you also change the sound by touching the top of the box?
(Doesn't actually belong under the heading, "Shining and seeing",
but this is a good exhibit...)
Slowly spin each disc and watch the pattern carefully. Try
to find the best speed for each.
One of the patterns produces a strange, three-dimensional effect, like
a wobbly cone. The other two patterns somehow cause your brain to see
colours.
The colours are an interesting scientific mystery!
There are two different illusions here. After looking at one, turn
the middle part round to see the other.
Is one side of the grey ring darker than the other? Are both sides of
the white board exactly the same?
Lift each red ribbon and look again. Your brain struggles to make sense
of what you see!
MINI-INTERACTIVES:
Things
that move | Invisible Forces
| Shining & seeing | Patterns
in water | Touring etc.
| Hong Kong
Installed in a school library (a short video clip)
|
