Sir Isaac's Loft
Enter the playground of experimentation and discover falling objects, chain reactions, and optical illusions that bring Newton's laws to life. Pulleys, prisms, and pendulums captivate the mind and illuminate classic scientific principles. How does different lighting affect our perception of the world? How do energy and motion transfer when two objects collide? Build a domino maze and create a chain reaction by toppling them over. Gaze at optical illusions guaranteed to make you think your eyes are playing tricks on you. And don’t miss the centerpiece of this exhibit— a George Rhoads kinetic sculpture that uses 18 smaller devices to circulate dozens of acrylic and golf balls.
Lift Your Body Weight with Ease
Sit in a stationary chair and find out how easy it is to lift yourself when you use a series of pulleys to do it.
Experiment with the Sand Pendulum
Fill a small pendulum with sand and watch as it falls, creating a beautiful design as it traces the pendulum’s swinging pattern.
Discover how Energy is Transferred from One Moving Object to Another
Test the effects of energy transfer by launching the Astro Blaster. How high can you get it to go?