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Reactive Vortex Marble: the latest addition to my physics inspired glass art collection which combines bright fluorescent inclusions (which pop at 395nm), a chunk of opalescent iridescence, and the spherical lensing effect that produces the spiral depth illusion of these vortex marbles. An orb of lampwork magic by Paul Katherman @paulietwofingers ➡️ Follow the link in my profile for info on where to buy vortex art marbles and other amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #physicstoy #vortexmarble #optics #indexofrefraction #artglass

Rainbow Twirler: shaped by angular momentum and centripetal acceleration- when the speed of the ribbon is faster than the flicker fusion frequency of human vision it looks like a bubble. As the rotation speed increases the shape flattens- similar to the way the Earth bulges due to its rotation. A special motorized base was available for a while. ➡️ Follow the link in my profile for info on where to get a twirler toy and other amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #centripetal #angularmomentum #physicstoy #swirlandtwirl flickerfusion

Infinity Cube Lamp: parallel partially mirrored panes create the illusion of depth through the physics of reflection. This nicely constructed lamp utilizes precise geometry and ceramic LEDs provide the illumination to create a wonderful illusion of depth. ➡️ Follow the link in my profile for info on where to get this infinity lamp and many other amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #physicstoy #reflection #cube #infinitymirror #portal

Vintage Lenticular Disks: kinetic images such as these are comprised of an array of thin cylindrical lenses placed over interlaced multiple images so that each eye sees a different view creating a perception of motion. A vintage 1970s vari-view flicker lenticular. ➡️ Follow the link in my profile for info on where to get the many of the amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #lensarray #cylindricallens #optics #physicstoy #lenticular

Color Flame Birthday Candle Physics: the colored parts of these candle flames are due to excitation of specific chemical elements mixed into the wax. When viewed through a diffraction grating some of the prominent emission frequencies (electrons jumping between quantum energy levels) can be seen as “ghost” images to the side as the grating separates the light into the spectrum emitted by each flame. Most notably the yellow candle has a strong yellow/orange emission line from sodium, the red candle has similarly strong red and orange lines from strontium, and the blue and green candles have a bunch of overlapping violet/blue/green lines from copper and probably potassium. Note that glowing tip of the wick creates a thin line of the full continuous spectrum. Diffraction gratings- physics fun party favors! ➡️ Follow the link in my profile for info on where to get these candles, diffraction gratings, and many more amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #diffraction #physicstoy #colorflame #emmisionspectrum #quantumjump

Hologram Necklace: it’s all unicorns and rainbows plus sparkle with this newly released dichromated gelatin hologram. The DCG technique produces some of the most vivid colors in holograms, but still needs a well positioned light source to bring out the full image. Astonishing physics of constructive and deconstructive interference of light. ➡️ Follow the link in my profile for info on where to get this hologram necklace and other amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #physics #physicstoy #hologram #holographic #interference optics

Floating Hourglass Puzzle: famous physics puzzle- why does the hourglass not start rising right away? The glass only ascends after about half of the sand has transferred to the lower bulb. The hourglass is a normal glass timer, it is submersed in plain water, and the main tube has an inner diameter which is at least 5mm larger than the diameter of the glass. A simple physics property of the hourglass changes and explains this behavior. I’ll post the answer in a few days. Another puzzle made famous by Martin Gardner.⏳ ➡️Follow the link in my profile for info on where to get many of the amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #physicstoy #physicspuzzle #buoyancy #gravity #friction

Birefringence in Calcite: elegant rhombohedral crystals like this one form naturally, and notice that two images are seen when looking through it. The speed of light in a calcite crystal depends on polarization- the refractive index is different depending on the polarization orientation of the light transmitted through it. As a polarizing filter is rotated 90 degrees, one image appears and the other vanishes, showing that the polarization orientation of the light of the two images is indeed perpendicular. ➡️ Follow the link in my profile to find where to get crystals like this one and many other amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #calcite #birefringence #polarizer #physicstoy #indexofrefraction

Solenoid Magnetic Accelerator: six electromagnet coils push a steel ball to terminal velocity. Each coil is triggered to briefly energized only when an infrared led and sensor circuit detects the presence of the ball. The steel ball’s speed seems limited by the strength of the temporary magnetic field and the friction it encounters from the track. This ring configuration demonstrates proof of concept for a means of accelerating steel marbles and I hope to incorporate these coils in other marble run designs. Uses a 12V power supply. ➡️ Follow the link in my profile for information on where to get this cyclotron accelerator and many other amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #electromagnet #emf #physicstoy #accelerator #electromagnetism

Solar Souvenir: some physics found in the gift shop- a photovoltaic cell powers a small coil in the base that is pulsed on and off creating a magnetic field that pushes a magnet on the pendulum- setting the shuttle into motion when sufficiently lit. From a recent trip to Los Angeles. ➡️ Follow the link in my profile for more info and where to obtain the amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #solarmotor #solarcell #magneticfield #physicstoy #desktoy

Chaotic Coupled Rotors: here’s a favorite from my archive of vintage desk toys, one that demonstrates kinetic energy being passed back and forth chaotically vis interaction of magnets (mounted on the ends of the spines) that repel. This toy was marketed under the name Magnetron and sold in the Natural Wonders shops in the 1990s-sometimes available on eBay. ➡️ Follow the link in my profile for info on where to get many of the amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #physicstoy #chaos #chaoticmotion #kineticsculpture #kineticart

Pixeluxe Pixel Crystal: pixelate anything as you view the world through this hand held optical device. Made of optical quality glass, the geometry is that of two concave cylindrical lenses, one on each side, and set at 90 degrees to each other- this shrinks the image as any concave lens would do. Pixelation is achieved by constructing the curves out of 16 long skinny facets across the 36 mm width, producing the 16-bit resolution effect. My color lithophane of a famous physicist serves as my first object to pixelate. A fun new optical toy in my collection. ➡️ Follow the link in my profile for info on where to get this and other amazing items featured here on @physicsfun #physics #physicstoy #optics #physicsfun #additiveoptics opticalelements cylindicallens pixelate 16bit facetedlens refraction lightrays science scienceisawesome