exploratorium

Exhibits

KEYWORDS

water

A Drop to Drink

Getting a drink of water would be very different if you were the size of a doll.

Where:   Crossroads: Getting Started
Confused Sea

Air blowing over the surface of water inside a large Plexiglas hemisphere mimics the action of the wind over the ocean by generating waves. The waves slowly change and build until the entire volume of water is circulating as one wave. Viewers can adjust the speed of the air blower and influence the building of the waves.

Where:   Gallery 4: Living Systems
Fluvial Storm

Swirling water sculpts elaborate patterns of underwater dunes.

Where:   This exhibit is not currently on view.
Geysers

The timing of the eruptions of these geysers depends on water temperature and pressure.

Where:   Gallery 4: Living Systems
Liquid Litmus

See the chemical reactions taking place in an electrolytic cell, as electricity flowing through a tank of salt water and pH-indicating dye creates zones of acidic (yellow) and basic (blue) solutions.

Where:   Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery 6, Mezzanine
Tidal Flow

Floating orange arrows turn a series of leftover pilings into a visual representation of water movement into and out of the Bay. As tides rise and fall, the arrows travel up and down the pilings, swiveling to point the direction of the water flow.

Where:   This exhibit is not currently on view.
Tidal Memory

Twenty-four columns record twenty-four hours of tide water levels.

Where:   Gallery 4: Living Systems
Vortex

A twist of a knob sets water jets in motion, causing water in this giant cylindrical tank to spin. Soon, a tiny vortex appears at the surface, gradually swelling in size as it snakes downward.

Where:   Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery 6, Mezzanine
Watch Water Freeze

Ordinarily, water freezes too slowly to be appreciated. Here, polarized light and an ultra cold slab let you watch water crystalize rapidly in real time. The colorful mosaic of ice that forms is different every time.

Where:   Fisher Bay Observatory Gallery 6, Mezzanine
Water Spinner

Spinning water makes a mathematical curve.

Where:   This exhibit is not currently on view.

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