Physics on Etsy!

Dichroscope

Get this affordable dichroscope here:
From Amazon: BUY NOW: Dichroscope

Get dichroic iolite samples here: 
From Etsy: BUY NOW Iolite Sample 

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Dichroscope: many gemstones show very strong pleochroism- their color depends on the polarization of light as transmitted through the crystal. This dichroscope consists of two linear polarization filters at right angles to each other, and allows the user to see maximum contrast in color variation in gemstones. Shown here: sample of rough iolite, a polished iolite cabochon, a natural pebble of root beer tourmaline, and some pink tourmaline. 

Diasterism in Rose Quartz

Rose quartz stars come in a variety of sizes and clarity. Available here:

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Rose Quartz Stars

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Diasterism in Rose Quartz: illuminate this polished quartz sphere from behind to reveal a six point star with a center that moves with the light source. The rayed star is form of chatoyancy, where the light is scattered by microscopic parallel crystal fibers that grew within the quartz. This is similar to tiger eye chatoyancy, but here the fibers grew along the three different directions of the main crystal symmetry. Such asterisms are more commonly seen in sapphire and ruby gemstones, but can be found in much larger specimens of rose quartz like this one.


Kinetic Traced Hyperboloid

This hard to find sculpture is currently unavailable, but here is clock version:

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Kinetic Hyperboloid Clock

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Hyperbolic Hole Kit

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Kinetic Traced Hyperboloid: a straight rod glides through a symmetric pair of curved holes in this kinetic sculpture based on the hyperboloid, the 3D ruled surface traced by an offset revolved straight line. This version is made of anodized aluminum and rotates via gearing and a motor powered by two AA batteries in the base. 

Tenebrescence and Fluorescence of Hackmanite

Get a sample here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Hackmanite Samples

365 nm UV flashlights available here:
From Amazon: BUY NOW: Convoy UB Flashlight

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Tenebrescence: a property of the mineral hackmanite which temporarily changes color when exposed to UV light- from pink/white to violet. Photochromism from a naturally occurring mineral! Similar physics to phosphorescence (glow in the dark) the purple color fades back to normal over about half an hour, and the mineral can be put into this excited state over and over again by the UV rays of the sun, or this high intensity UV flashlight. Also- hackmanite has a bright orange fluorescent glow under UV.

Tenebrescence of Hackmanite

Get a sample here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Hackmanite Samples

You will also want a powerful UV flashlight:
From Amazon: BUY NOW: High Power UV Light

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Tenebrescence: a property of the mineral hackmanite which temporarily changes color when exposed to UV light to a deep shade of violet- photochromism from a naturally occurring mineral! Similar physics to phosphorescence (glow in the dark) the purple color fades back to normal over about half an hour, and the mineral can be put into this excited state over and over again by the UV rays of the sun, or this high intensity UV flashlight. Also- hackmanite has a bright orange fluorescent glow under UV.


Postage Hologram

Get this vintage offcial US Postage space hologram here:

From Etsy: BUY NOW: US Postage Hologram

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Postage Hologram: simple but effective 3D motion observed by moving the light source over this space themed embossed Benton type hologram. This is the first ever hologram stamp issued by the US Postal Service in 1989. Remarkably such images are produced only by the interference of light waves bouncing off tiny grooves pressed into metallic coated plastic (on the scale of 0.5 µm apart and 0.2 µm deep) and all contained on a plastic sheet thinner that a piece of paper.

Glow Discharge Wand

Get plasma glow devices (and powerful tesla coil base) here:
From engineDIY: BUY NOW: Induction Coil Driver Base Unit

"Plasma Scepter" and plasma glassware available here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Glass for Glow Plasma 

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Glow Discharge Wand: colorful and intricate light from a blown glass scepter and a shot glass filled with neon and other gasses. A special platform contains a coil and circuit that creates a high frequency/high voltage electric field designed to transmit energy through the glass to excite the gases into glow discharge- energy transmission similar to a wireless charger base but at much higher voltage and frequency. 

Embossed Foil Optical Art

These Manifestations Inc, vintage art pieces are widely available on eBay and Etsy-- get one today!

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Manifestations Inc. Vitage Foil Op Art

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Embossed Foil Optical Illusion Art: two vintage foil art cards circa 1985 produced by embossed grooves on thin foil by a special Dufex type process. These tiny impressions (hundreds of grooves per inch) create controlled specular reflections that produce the illusion of motion as the viewer moves in relation to the source of light. Vintage art by Manifestations Inc out of Carlsbad CA 


Vintage Early Newton's Cradle Design

This early version is hard to find, but many new and vintage versions available here:

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Newton's Cradle Desktop Toy

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Vintage Early Newton’s Cradle Design: produced in 1969 and patented in 1971 this early design of the famous desk toy featured 3 balls instead of 5, and hanging from plastic struts instead of string. Sold as “Knock It To Me” out of Covina California by Brutoco Development with design patent by Jean Pierre Abba. A piece of physics toy history- where conservation of momentum and conservation of kinetic energy combine to describe the motion of this famous desk toy. 

Circularly Polarized Reflecting Scarab

Specimens of this beetle are available on Etsy: 
From Etsy: BUY NOW CP reflecting Jewel Scarab 

Get the circular polarizing filters (3D glassess lenses) here: 
From Amazon: BUY NOW Circular Polarizing Filter Glasses 

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It was only recently discovered (2010) that Chrysina gloriosa and other jewel scarab beetles can actually see circularly polarized light! The metallic appearance of these beetles is a form ofstructural coloration involving interference. 

Wikipedia has a great introduction to Circularly Polarized Light 

Circularly Polarized Reflecting Scarab: the iridescent jewel scarabs like this one (Chrysina Gloriosa) have a very rare property: they reflect only circularly polarized light! When viewed through a filter that allows only left CP light the metallic greens and gold colors of the beetle are clearly visible, but if viewed through a right CP filter hardly any light gets through and the beetle looks dark brown. Circularly polarized light is similar to linearly polarized light except the direction of the electric field rotates around the direction of motion such that there is a left handed version (clockwise) and a right handed version. When left handed CP light reflects off a mirror it becomes right handed and vice versa- as seen here with this beetle's reflection. My CP light filters came from a pair of RealD 3D movie glasses. Nobel Laureate Albert Michelson was the first to discover that jewel scarabs preferentially reflect left CP light back in 1911. 

Swinging Wonder Newtonian Demonstrator 

This early version sometimes found here (with many new and vintage versions):

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Newton's Cradle Desktop Toy

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Vintage Newton’s Cradle: patented in 1970 this piece of physics toy history is more than 50 years old! This one still has the foil label that reads: Swinging Wonder Newtonian Demonstrator and was the first version of the Newton’s cradle marketed as a desk toy for home or office. The patent holder Lee Trippett manufactured more than 400k units from 1968-1970 out of his Scientific Demonstrators Inc. factory in Eugene OR. Conservation of momentum and conservation of kinetic energy offer insights to describe the dynamics of this famous desk toy, but the best physics description is more complex- dozens of peer reviewed papers have appeared in just the past few years on this fascinating toy. 


Parabolic Mirror Sconce 

Get an afordable working replica here:
From Amazon: BUY NOW: Parabolic Mirror Candle Sconce 

Vintage versions often found here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Parabolic Mirror Sconce 

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Parabolic Sconce Candle: 29 carefully cut and aligned mirrors set to reflect in parallel what is placed at a centered point. More specifically if the flame of the candle is placed at the focus of the parabola, the light rays from the mirror segments will leave along parallel paths, allowing the candlelight to be projected in a beam. Such candle holders were common before the invention of electric light.