Universe Sphere
Created by Clemens & Christoph of CinkS labs: Available in a cube too!
From CinkS Labs: BUY NOW Universe Sphere
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Wikipedia has a good description of the distribution of galaxies on this scale
Universe Sphere: 380000 laser etched dots, each dot representing a galaxy of stars, reveals the largest scale structure of our universe. This glass sphere contains a 3D mapping of galaxies in a volume of our universe spanning 800 million lightyears in diameter, and matches the clumping and distribution as seen by automated telescopic surveys such as that found in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey data. Hold a chunk of the universe in your hand!
The Milky Way in a Sphere
Created by Clemens & Christoph of CinkS labs: Available in a cube too!
From CinkS Labs: BUY NOW: Milky Way in a Sphere
Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Click here for Universe Sphere
The Milky Way in a Sphere: the distribution of stars in our home galaxy, laser etched into a crystal sphere, according to the most recent telescopic surveys and mappings- including the stars in the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy (a small galaxy that is simultaneously orbiting and getting absorbed into the Milky Way) and the major globular clusters outside the main disk. Another beautiful object created by CinkS Labs.
Orbiforms
Orbiforms available here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW Orbiforms
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Orbiforms: volumes of constant width made from solid steel, brass, and copper- these shapes have constant diameter no matter their orientation and will roll like spheres between two planes- note how the acrylic plate stays parallel to the table as the orbiforms roll underneath. The first set shown are based on the Reuleaux triangle and the second set are based on a Reuleaux pentagon. Featured items from @altdynamic
Spin Bank
Available from these fine sources:
From Amazon: BUY NOW: Coin Spin Bank
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Spin Bank: a clever spring mechanism launches each coin into rotation along a symmetry axis on to a concave trapping surface. Angular momentum of the spinning quarter keeps it upright even as it bounces upon impact with the platform. Another spin on making saving spare change fun!
The Galton Board
Available here:
From Amazon: BUY NOW Galton Board
Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
The Galton Board: 3000 steel balls fall through 12 levels of branching paths and always end up matching a bell curve distribution. Each ball has a 50/50 chance of following each branch such that the balls are distributed at the bottom by the mathematical binomial distribution. One of my favorite finds of 2018! An elegantly designed modern version of the Galton Box invented by Sir Francis Galton(1894) to demonstrate the Central Limit Theorem - showing how random processes gather around the mean. In addition the number of balls in each bin can be predicted by Pascal's triangle (printed on the face over the pegs).
Viscous Flow Mixing Bulbs
Special discount for @physicsfun followers: use coupon code below!
From EP DesignLab: BUY NOW EP Lights LED Bulb Art
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Viscous Flow Mixing Bulbs: art from mixing high viscosity fluids. Each LED bulb from EP Designlab captures a unique pattern based on the physics of laminar flow folding resulting from the mixing of viscous fluids- in this case silicone resins. When the resins cure the pattern is captured and frozen in place ready to display as illuminated by an array of 5 LEDs in the standard E26 bulb base. With this process no two bulbs are alike, and all capture intricate mixing physics.
Mezmoglobe
These globes are now available in three colors:
From Art of Play: BUY NOW: Mezmoglobe Kinetic Object
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Mezmoglobe: precision machined kinetic desk toy with helical motion illusion. Give this metal sphere a spin and the imparted angular momentum (along with precision bearings) allows for sustained rotation. The spiral design converts rotational motion to translational motion, and imparts the illusion that fluid like ripples are traveling along the metal surface. Another intriguing design by Kristoph Krisjans.
Uranium Glass Marbles
Available here:
From STEMCell Science: BUY NOW: Uranium Marbles
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Uranium Glass Marbles: the very small quantities of uranium oxide in this glass give it its green color and produces brilliant fluorescence under a 405nm violet laser pointer. Uranium is of course radioactive but the tiny amount in this kind of glass poses no risk. The florescence has nothing to do with the radioactivity- in fact it is myth that radioactive items glow!
Mega Tippe-Top
Here is the mega tippe-top compared to typical tippe-tops on the market and a US quarter dollar:
Limited quantities available from the Spinning Top and Yo-Yo Museum of Burlington, Wisconsin
Educational Innovations has reasonably priced wood tippe-tops in their shop:
From Educational Innovations: BUY NOW Tippe-Tops
From Amazon: BUY NOW Tippe-Tops
Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Mega Tippe-Top: spinning things often have surprising physics. This giant version of the famous flip-over top must be launched with a string pull to give it enough rotational energy to make the flip. It is also placed on a concave mirror to keep it from wandering too far. Friction with the mirror provides a torque that acts on the existing angular momentum of the top to flip it over.
Invar Alloy Precision Cubic Inch
Get a cube here:
From Criaghill Accessories: BUY NOW Invar Cubic Inch
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Wikipedia has the details on the history and properties of Invar
Invar Alloy Precision Cubic Inch: celebrating the Imperial measurement unit of length, this cube is 1 inch on each side ± 0.001 (one mil) and is made of Invar, a special alloy of nickel and iron that has an anomalously low coefficient of thermal expansion. Invented in 1896 by Charles Guillaume, invar is 10 times more resistant to thermal expansion than steel allowing production of much more sensitive scientific equipment, and was deemed such an important discovery that he won the Nobel Prize in 1920. This cube can go from 0°F to 100°F and still be within the tolerances marked on its side! Amazingly, physicists have yet to find consensus why invar has such an anomalously low CTE. Thanks to the creators at @craighillcompany for sending me this precise and wonderfully impractical cube!
Aluminum Flip Top and Magnetic Stirrer
Inexpensive lab stirrers like this one can be used in many investigations and demonstrations:
From Amazon: BUY NOW Magnetic Stirrer
Get a metal tippe-top here:
From Amazon: BUY NOW Metal Flip-Over Top
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Aluminum Flip Top and Magnetic Stirrer: dynamic magnetic fields from rotating neodymium magnets in the base induce electric currents to flow in the conducting aluminum of the top. These electric currents then produce an opposite magnetic field of their own via Lenz’s Law. With the top now having a temporary magnetic field the magnets in the stirrer can spin it up. Tippie-tops are a famous physics toy that flip over when spun at sufficient rpm. So much fun physics in a single demo! Credit to astrophysicist Kenneth Brecher, the creator of this unique means of spinning up objects via Lenz’s Law.
The Heritage Periodic Table
Periodic Table with 83 element samples:
From Etsy store ProtoshopLLC: BUY NOW: Heritage Periodic Table
See also: The Collector's Edition with 85 samples
Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Please note: there are fradulent versions of this with only pictures embedded in the acyrlic being sold on facebook. The link above is the only place to get the actual version.
The Heritage Periodic Table Display: a comprehensive collection of the chemical elements that can fit in the hand. Embedded in acrylic are actual samples of 83 of the 118 elements- including pure bubbles of the gaseous elements- represented by 75 high purity samples and 7 compounds. 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of the world changing periodic system of Dmitri Mendeleev (published in 1869). This table and collection is the creative work of Tim and Cory Marriott of Engineered Labs Protoshop LLC
Impossible Card Case
Get this fun card case here and support this amazing museum:
From the MoMath Store: BUY NOW: Rollover Card Case
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Impossible Card Case: this business card carrier has a special double hinge that allows it to be opened from either side, and transforms from stripes of white and silver to black and silver. I use this to carry @physicsfun bling diffractive stickers. Sometimes called a magic or flip case, the ribbon construction is similar to the famous Jacob’s Ladder toy I’ve featured and dscribed.
Impossible Threads
Available here:
From Crux: BUY NOW: Impossible Threads
Impossible Threads: a classic project for learning machinist skills on a metal lathe where threads are made in the middle of a rod with solid ends- how then where the nuts placed on the threads? The ends are indeed the same piece of metal and where never detached. Swipe to reveal the method that takes advantage of how precisely metal can be machined.
Impossible Trapped 8-Ball
Get this amazing object here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Trapped 8-Ball
Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Trapped 8-Ball: one more addition to my “impossible object”collection- a solid wooden frame contains an 8-ball which is too large to fit through any of the holes. The puzzle aspect is to consider how the ball was somehow inserted (as usual I personally have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). I can tell you with high certainty that the frame was fabricated from a single piece of wood, and once made, never cut or glued in anyway. A creation by artist/maker Troy Hawkins.
Wooden Trapped Sphere in Cube
(out of production)
Trapped Sphere in Cube: a surprising aspect of the geometry of spheres and cubes- carved from a single block of wood is a sphere trapped within a cube frame. A classic folk woodworking novelty reconceived here with precision machining to create this seemingly impossible object.
Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Impossible Caged Golf Ball
Some nice versions of this impossible object available here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Golf Ball in Wood Cage
See more of these thought puzzles in my collection here: Impossible Objects
Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Impossible Caged Golf Ball: Here a regular off-the-shelf golf ball is somehow trapped within a cage made from a solid piece of hardwood walnut. Neither the ball nor the wood were cut or glued in the fabrication process. The puzzle aspect is to consider how this object was produced (I have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist).
Klein Bottle
Get this mathematical glass art here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Klein Bottle
Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Wikipedia has great details on the Klein Bottle
Klein Bottle: 3D representation of a four dimensional mathematical object with one side, no edges, and zero volume. Kind of like a MoĢbius strip with no edges.* Math meets glass art with this fun “lamp shaped” version! *only achievable in 4D space