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OK, here's a question for ya...

 

Say you've got an exhibit where two balls roll down tracks. One goes down a
straight inclined plane (maybe a 40 degree angle), the other goes down a
wavy path (steeper slope in parts, but also some uphills). You may well have
this exhibit at your center.

 

Experiment shows that the ball on the wavy track hits the bottom first, even
though it has to travel further. But reconciling theory to experiment is
where it gets dicey. Why does this happen? We've had detailed debate on this
and what should be in the signage.

 

And ironically, this exhibit is in our kids area. Draw what conclusions you
will from that about concept + process.

 

Help me, fellow physics geeks!

Jonah Cohen

Outreach & Public Programs Manager

Science Center of Connecticut

 

"On blind faith they place reliance,

what we need more of is science"

           -MC Hawking

 


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