Physics principles come alive at Demonstration Station

Explorit Science Center has long been known for its hands-on philosophy. Now it is reaching for the next level with a new audience-participation demonstration called “Spinning Science” that supplements the long-term exhibition “Move It! Science in Action.”

Staff members lead the demonstrations during visiting hours, which recently were expanded to 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, 2-5 Wednesdays-Fridays, and 11-5 Sundays. Demos are expected to take place at 3 p.m., with additional noon presentations on weekends, in our new Demonstration Station located in the Discovery Room.

Most demonstrations make use of a bicycle wheel gyroscope, which is basically a single spinning wheel on an axis with a handle on each side. In one, visitors sit on a rotating stool, grab hold of the spinning wheel and – well, you’ll have to visit Explorit to see what happens next. But here’s a hint: A similar force is used to guide a rocket ship.

“This is an ideal tool for demonstrating the physics principle called Conservation of Angular Momentum,” says Anna Grace, exhibits coordinator. “Translated, it’s really just spinning science.”

In describing the experience of holding the wheel, she touches on a familiar memory of childhood: “Everyone remembers learning how to ride a bike. Was it easier to ride when the bike was moving slow or fast? This experiment lets you feel the science behind the answer.”

She adds, “There are some very interesting forces at work with this process, but the science comes alive when we allow the museum visitors to sit down on a stool, hold the gyroscope and let them feel what happens.”

The last demonstration involves a Rotational Acceleration Tank. While it’s not interactive, it’s captivating all the same. Visitors watch as a tank of colored water starts spinning. Centripetal force and reactive centrifugal force play against each other with interesting results.

The gyroscope and tank were donated to Explorit by PASCO Scientific, a Roseville-based global leader in developing technology-based solutions for hands-on science, serving educators and students in more than 100 countries around the world.

Incidentally, on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays the demonstrations alternate with presentations of Explorit’s resident animals, a staple of Explorit’s museum experience for the past three years. These presentations allow visitors to meet and greet Blizzard, a blue-tongued skink, or Connie, a 6-foot-long ball python.

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Explorit Science Center is at 2801 Second St., Davis. New visiting hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, 2-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission is $4 general, free for members and ages 3 and under. For more information: (530) 756-0191 or http://www.explorit.org.