Exhibits

Here at the GDC we believe that we learn by doing rather than listening. The GDC offers a large amount of interactive science exhibits and experiments to encourage you to get actively involved in science and technology. Our science presenters are happy to take you on a guided tour of the GDC and explain how some of the exhibits work, but we encourage you to have a go yourself. It’s great fun and educational at the same time.

Welcome to our theatre and a brief video introduction to the GDC and AIGO by  Professor David Blair. AIGO (Australian International Gravitational Observatory) is a UWA research facility set up to  detect.

The Corkscrew Laser (Exhibit 1)

exhibit01

A rotating, “A” shaped metal device with an array of mirrors,  reflecting a laser beam. The light patterns appear to spiral into a curved light path, even though the light travels in a straight line. We know that light can be curved through strong gravitational attraction, but this time the curved light is simply a deception of the eye.

The 4D Cube (Exhibit 2)

exhibit2The shapes of objects are not only changed by the curvature of space, but they are also changed by pure speed. This strange idea was one of Einstein’s first big discoveries. If you travel fast enough, the mass, length and shape of everything you see becomes altered. Equally, fast moving objects can appear to change their shapes. In this case, the TV line scan simulates a slow light speed. The cube becomes a “corkscrew” image, and by adjusting the controls, the strobe effects appear to make it almost stationary.

The Ion Drive Lifter (Exhibit 3)

exhibit3Our second anti-gravity exhibit is an ion engine. Ion engines have been around in science fiction for years as a way we might send spaceships to the stars. Now they are actually being tested in space. Most rockets send out a jet of hot gas from burning fuels. An ion engine instead is an all-electric rocket with no moving parts. Our ion drive allows you to fly a small craft up into the air.
Ions are electrically charged atoms. A very high voltage strips electrons from atoms in the air, the negative charge is created along the edge of the foil. The ions are accelerated downwards, thus creating a lift force which lifts the craft upwards. Because the ions are very light, ion engines need very little fuel, but they do need electric power.