Get this math toy here: Toysmith Sproing Ball
Learn more about this shape: Icosododecahedron
Sproing Ball Icosododecahedron: this bouncy ball contains some fun mathematical symmetries. Just six interlocking gear shaped rings create 12 pentagonal faces (shown here in sequence) along with 20 triangular faces. Each “gear ring” also forms an equatorial great circle, producing the underlying polyhedral form of this toy, an icosododecahedron.
Click here for affordable, precision made scopes with angled mirrors: Kaleidoscope Symmetries Explored
Similar Kaleidoscopes available here:
From Amazon: BUY NOW Fluid Flow Kaleidoscope
From Etsy: Fluid Flow Kaleidoscope
See more kaleidoscopes in my collection: Kaleidoscopes
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Polarized Light Cell Kaleidoscope: the amazing colors you see from the object cell of this 3 mirror kaleidoscope are generated by manipulating the polarization of light- the object in the clear wand is a strip of clear cellophane in oil which has the property of optical rotation. These property allows for an incredible range of color formation when placed between two linear polarization filters (swipe for demonstration). A creation of kaleidoscope artist Ron Kuhns.
Neodymium magnets will produce the largest gap when suspending a nail or other iron rich objects.
Please use exterme caution when handling these magnets.
From Amazon: BUY NOW: Neodymium Super Magnet
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In Defiance of Gravity: a 3 oz plumb bob in suspension between a chain and a powerful neodymium magnet. Ferromagnetic attraction over a distance of many millimeters, and a reminder of the presence of the typically invisible electromagnetic forces all around us. Sculpture: oak, stainless steel chain and hardware, neodymium super magnet, standard plumb bob tool. Iron filings in oil align and chain together to reveal the magnetic field lines of the equilibrium configuration.
Get this device for a great price here:
From EngineDIY: BUY NOW: Vertical Mendocino Motor
From engineDIY: BUY NOW Horizontal Levitating Motor (on all models here-remove brown protective film to reveal clear acrylic on rotor)
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Mendocino Motor: each face of a solar cell is connected to a coil of copper wire across from the opposing solar cell. When the rotor is lit from one side the lit solar cell provides electric current to the coil in the opposite position which becomes a temporary electromagnet that pushes against the permanent magnets in the base propelling the rotor to rotate. As the rotor turns, the coil that moves into the position near the magnet is likewise energized by the solar cell currently at the top- one can say the light commutates this motor. Magnetic bearings to reduce friction in both models. Invented in the 1960s by Daryl Chapin of Bell Labs and popularized by Larry Springs of Mendocino CA
Get a sphere and other polished samples of Lapis Lazili here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Lapis Lazuli
You will also want an awesome UV flashlight like this one:
From WayTooCool: BUY NOW: High Power UV Light (best UV products and service available)
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Fluorescence of Lapis Lazuli: A polished sphere of lapis lazuli, blue with the mineral lazurite, evokes the form of a banded planet with swaths and speckles of other minerals such as calcite, pyrite, sodalite, and hauynite. The beam of a long wave UV flashlight reveals an astonishing transformation of appearance where the banding on the sphere glows bright yellow via fluorescence of the hauynite inclusions. The colorful glow comes from complex quantum mechanical behavior where molecules of some of the minerals absorb high energy UV photons and then emit this energy out in the form of lower energy photons- the physics of fluorescence.
Vintage puzzles in this series are sometimes available on eBay:
From eBay: Search NOW Virtual Illusion 3D Puzzle
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Perspective Puzzle: twelve flat images, when ordered and spaced correctly, combine to produce this 3D illusion of structure and depth. This vintage toy by Mattel was sold as “Virtual Illusion 3D Puzzle” where the challenge is to scramble/shuffle the 12 sheets and then place them in the correct orientation and order to complete the image. A fun application of the math and physics of anamorphosis and perspective.
Get this Kikkerland brand balance pen here: Acrobat Pen
See my other amazing balance toys
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Kinetic Balance Pen: a sleek ball point pen finds balance in this desktop sculpture from Kikkerland as the "Acrobat Pen". When the pen is placed in its cap the center of mass of the system is below the pivot contact point, creating a situation of stable equilibrium.
Cosmos: 7-point Symmetry Kaleidoscope
See similar Fine Art Kaleidoscopes:
From Nellie Bly: Precision Kaleidoscopes
See more Kaleidoscopes in my collection.
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7-Point Side Lit Kaleidoscope: the latest addition to my kaleidoscope collection. “Cosmos” uses mirrors precisely aligned at an angle of 25.7 degrees to produce a very detailed 7 point symmetry, and has an object cell of glass work suspended in oil to create the flowing and intricate display. Fall into another universe via this amazing work by artists Toru & Kyoko Kiribayashi.
Get this charming and inexpensive balance toy here:
From Amazon: BUY NOW: Balance Sculpture
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Balance Twirl Fun: two stick figures twirl and dip in this low center of mass kinetic art sculpture (no magnets!). These balance toys have the curious motion of a 3D physical pendulum- a complex motion which can be broken down into oscillations along two dimensions and rotation about the point of contact. The metal stick figures (plus counterweights and bar structure) is designed such that its center of mass is few centimeters below the contact point when at rest. When the sculpture is tipped the center of mass swings under the pivot point in this stable equilibrium condition- no magnets needed to create this physics magic.
Get samples of Tiffany Stone here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Tiffany Stone samples
The UVC lamp used in this video is available here (see here the "Trtiple" and other well made and reasonably priced professional tools):
From WayTooCool LLC: BUY NOW: UV Lamps
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Fluorescence of Tiffany Stone: a gemstone variety also known as Bertrandite, these purple and white swirls of Opalized Fluorite glow bright green under shortwave UV. This unique stone type is only found at one place in the world- the Brush Wellman Beryllium Mine in Western Utah.
Get this well made and unique device here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Buxstix Tensegrity
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Revolving Tensegrity Sculpture: three stainless steel struts are held in stable equilibrium by elastic tension in this elegant desk toy by architect and inventor Stephen Lawrence. Entitled “Buxstix”, this manipulable fidget includes an acrylic base and three glow in the dark beads that slide in curious motion. Another fun take on the tensegrity concept, invented by Kenneth Snelson and made famous by the architect Buckminster Fuller in 1949.
These vintage toys often available here:
From eBay: search now: Shake N Sort
Second Law of Thermodynamics for Babies: this “Shake N Sort” rattle contains layers of sieves of decreasing hole size. Shake (add mechanical work and heat) in one direction and entropy is decreased and the spheres are sorted, invert and shake and the opposite occurs. Of course the entropy of the surroundings increases both ways. A physics toy for the youngest of physicists!
The KickStarter page: Luna Kinetic by Mezmoglobe
Similar devices available here:
From Amazon: BUY NOW: Kinetic Illusion
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Luna Kinetic Illusion Sculptures: precision machined and crafted, these kinetic desk toys exhibit a helical motion illusion in which a metal sphere seemingly defies gravity as a coil spins around it. An astonishing design by Kristoph Krisjans and the @mezmoglobe team and made possible by a recently completed Kickstarter campaign- I recently received these two variations.
Find vintage lamps using fiber optic physics here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Vintage Fiber Optic Lamps
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Fiber Optic Dolphin Lamp: a vintage and wacky thrift store find with a “cosmic space dolphin“ theme. The polished ends of 7000+ individual fibers terminate in a bundle which is illuminated by a lamp in the base. The color shifting patterns are generated by a rotating color wheel placed between the light source and the fiber optic bundle. Physics of internal reflection and refractive index describe how light is channeled through such fibers.
Each constructed by hand, each a work of art- get a personalized bottle here:
From The Bottleologist website: BUY NOW: Impossible Bottle with Frame
From his Etsy store: BUY NOW: Impossible Bottles
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Impossible Frame in Bottle: another seemingly impossible object in my collection from craftsman/artist Grant Wicks AKA the Bottleologist. A framed photo complete with all hardware somehow assembled within a Fannys Bay Whisky bottle- a uniquely square bottle. More- the photo is a recursive Droste Effect image of the bottle itself. The puzzle aspect is to consider how the bottle was produced (I personally have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). I can tell you with high certainty that the bottle was never cut or altered in anyway, and it was not somehow formed around the frame.
This model available here:
BUY NOW: Candle Powered Lava Lamp
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Candle Powered Lava Lamp: a tea-light candle provides the illumination and the heat source in this newest incarnation of the famous lamp. The base and cap are glazed ceramic and it takes about one hour for the fluid motion to begin. The Lava Lamp is a kinetic art form with an amazing amount of physics on display: convective heat flow, Archimedes principle, surface tension (note how the smaller blobs form into spheres), and immiscible liquids to name just some of the science behind this famous device. Manufactured by Mathmos and invented in 1963 by Edward Walker of Dorset, England.
From EP Designlab: BUY NOW: Octogon Infinity Lamp
Special discount for @physicsfun followers on all EP Lights products
use coupon code: PHYFUN (10% off)
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Octagon Infinity Lamp: parallel partially mirrored panes with multi colored LEDs create the illusion of depth through the physics of reflection and refraction. This design incorporates selectable programmed color shift patterns that add a dynamic motion component to the classic infinity mirror concept.
Get an impossibe object from this artist here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Impossible Bottles and Objects
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Impossible Bottle with Arrow Sculpture Puzzle: a new seemingly impossible object in my collection- Created with clever engineering, this “impossible” syrup bottle contains a wooden arrow that should not fit through its neck. The wood of the arrow is notably one uncut piece, and yet a metal washer is also somehow trapped on the shaft of the arrow. The puzzle aspect is to consider how the bottle was produced (I personally have some theories- but I do not know the secrets of this artist). I can tell you with high certainty that the bottle was never cut or altered in anyway, and it was not somehow formed around the objects. This bottle by Brad Byers is an expertly crated example of the impossible object genre.