EXPLORIT SCIENCE CENTER - Public Exhibitions

Jonsson Gallery

Move It! Science in Action
Explorit's first long-term exhibition has opened in the Jonsson Gallery

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What affects an object's spin? How do still images in a movie combine to create the illusion of motion? Race two types of cycles, test shapes in a wind tunnel, experiment with sound waves and watch objects fall. In this dynamic exhibition, you'll discover that motion is everywhere!

Move It! Exhibits
Bikes & Bike Riders:
What factors affect bike performance? Ride two bikes, one recumbent and the other hand-powered, to see which is more efficient. Watching a video screen, race a friend or take a leisurely ride through Davis. Watch a skeleton mirror your motions as you speed up and slow down. Your choice of load size and other parameters determines how much effort is needed to pedal. Check your heart rate, temperature and other vital signs before and after the ride to measure the effects of exercise on the body.

Air Flow:
How does wind affect motion? Two types of wind tunnels allow you to experiment with objects in an air stream. Place a piece of foam in the vertical wind tunnel or build your own parachute or paper helicopter. Which object flies best? In the horizontal wind tunnel, test objects of different shapes, sizes and textures. Feel and measure their resistance to the air flowing over them. Which one is the most aerodynamic?

Gear Wall:
How do gears work? Design a gear train on the magnetic wall. What happens when you turn the first gear? Link as many of the gears as you like and vary the sizes. Do they all turn in the same direction?

Spin Table:
What happens when something spins? Roll a ball or disc across the rotating central disc of the table. Where does it end up? When the table is not rotating, check out a collection of tops to investigate the characteristics of a good spinner. Time how long different tops will spin, and add weight to one side to see how the top's balance is affected.

Test Track:
How do objects move on a track? Design your own racetrack to test different cars and balls. Add hills or loops to your track. How much energy is needed for the car to go over the hill? Do lighter cars or heavier cars move fastest? Time the objects or have a race.

Friction Ramp:
How does friction affect motion? Release a ball from one side of the half-pipe. Does it reach the top of the other side? Test different balls and wheels. Do they all roll the same distance? Time how long it takes for the balls to come to a complete stop. Now add carpet or linoleum to the ramp. Does changing the surface of the ramp change the time it takes for the balls to come to rest? Which surface has the most friction?

Falling Objects:
What affects a fall? Watch two balls fall at the same time. Which one hits the ground first? Investigate gravity and air resistance as you drop balls, coffee filters, paper helicopters and even maple seeds in the drop chamber. What happens when the ball hits the ground? Explore the concept of bounce as you test different balls and surfaces. What combination will produce the highest bounce?

Moving Pictures:
Are movies really moving? Investigate how still images combine to form a moving picture. Draw a simple cartoon series that appears to move when spun in the zoetrope. If art isn't your thing, arrange the wooden stick figures into different poses and give them a spin. Is that guy doing a cartwheel?

Sound Tubes:
How does sound travel? Talk into a large tube and hear your voice echo. Communicate with a friend down the hallway through tubes of different lengths. Do the sound waves arrive at the ends of the tubes at the same time? Does sound behave differently when traveling through copper tubing or clear vinyl tubing? Play with sound and discover its properties.

Solar Cars:
How can energy from the sun cause motion? Race solar cars on a special track on the patio. What makes them move? What happens if you put your hand over the cars? Can you race the cars on a cloudy day?