L. R. Ingersoll Physics Museum facts for kids

The L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum is a super cool place where you can explore the world of physics! It's found on the second floor of Chamberlin Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This museum is special because it lets you touch and play with more than 70 exhibits. It's all about learning through doing! The museum is free to visit, and it runs on donations from people who support it.

How the Museum Started

The L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum first opened its doors in 1918. It was started by Professor Snow and a person named Leonard Rose Ingersoll. Mr. Ingersoll (1880-1958) was a teacher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He really wanted to create a museum just for physics. He started working on this idea in 1917. When it opened, it was the very first museum in the United States focused only on physics! Mr. Ingersoll wanted a place where young people could easily learn about science. Since then, teachers and scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have kept creating new exhibits for everyone to enjoy.

What You Can Explore

The L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum has over 70 hands-on exhibits. These exhibits help you understand many different ideas in physics. Here are some of the exciting things you can see and do:

Mechanics: How Things Move

• Gravity Pit - See how gravity works with a special funnel. It's like a mini gravity well!
• Newton's Cradle - Watch how energy moves through swinging balls.
• Pulleys - Discover how pulleys make lifting heavy things easier.
• Spinning Platform - Feel the effects of spinning yourself!
• Gyroscope - Learn about balance and rotation with this spinning top.
• Foucault Pendulum - See how the Earth rotates right before your eyes.
• Torsion Pendulum - Explore how twisting can store and release energy.
• Unequal Arm Balance - Understand how weight and distance affect balance.
• Coupled Pendulums - Watch two pendulums swing together in interesting ways.

Electricity and Magnetism: Invisible Forces

• AC - DC Generators - Learn the difference between two types of electricity.
• Series and parallel circuits puzzle - Build circuits and see how they work.
• Circle of Magnetism - Explore magnetic fields in a fun way.
• Dynamo 1 and 2 - See how motion can create electricity.
• Induced Currents - Eddy Currents - Discover how changing magnetic fields create currents.
• Lenz's Law - Watch how magnets can slow down movement.
• The Magnetic Field - Lines of Force - See the invisible lines of magnetic force.
• The Rotating Copper Disk - Observe how a spinning disk interacts with magnets.
• Rotating Pepsi Can - A simple way to see magnetic forces in action.
• Helmholtz Coils - Create a very even magnetic field.
• Electrons Beam - See a beam of tiny electrons in motion.

Light and Optics: Seeing the World

• Additive Color Mixing - Mix different colored lights to make new colors.
• Subtractive Color Mixing - Learn how pigments mix to create colors.
• Color of an Object - Find out why objects appear to be certain colors.
• Light and Atomic Spectra - See the unique light patterns that different elements make.
• Mystery Window - What's behind the mystery?
• The Radiometer - Watch how light can make things spin.
• Polarized Light - Explore a special kind of light that vibrates in one direction.
• Light Waves - Understand how light travels in waves.
• Telescope - Look through a telescope and learn how it works.
• Convex, Plane & Concave Mirrors - See how different mirrors change your reflection.
• As Others See You - How do you look from different angles?
• Your Profiles - Explore your own reflection in unique ways.
• Infinite Reflections - Step into a world of endless reflections.
• Real Image - See how mirrors can create a "real" image in space.

Wave and Sound: Vibrations All Around Us

• Transverse Waves - See waves that move up and down, like ocean waves.
• Sound Pipes - Make different sounds with pipes of various lengths.

Modern Physics: Beyond the Basics

• Plasma Tube - Watch glowing plasma dance inside a tube.
• Cosmic Rays - Detect tiny particles from outer space.
• Spirograph - Create amazing geometric patterns.
• Probability Board - See how chance and probability work.

Computer Demonstrations: Digital Discoveries

• Chaos Demonstration - Explore how small changes can lead to big differences.
• Lissajous Curve Demonstration - Watch cool patterns made by combining waves.
• Your Voice - See a visual representation of your own voice!