TRAVELING EXHIBITS

Exhibit Overview EXHIBIT GOALS

Electricity is a classic exhibit that brings science and the history of electricity to life through interactive activities. Fundamental principles such as magnetic fields, electric charges, and battery technology are explored through interactive stations. Visitors can safely examine concepts such as static electricity and live current, motors, batteries and wires, attraction and repulsion, sparks, charge and discharge, voltage, AC and DC, magnetic fields and magnetic motion, lights, telegraphs and transmitters, and more.

Jacob’s Ladder FLOOR PLAN

Electricity features 19 highly-engaging, classic experiences:

19 19 19 19 18 Static Electricity 17 1 Electrostatic Generator Applications & 2 Triboelectricity Uses of Electricity 3 Plasma Tube Current Electricity 13 16 4 Jumping Ring 14 15 5 Jacob’s Ladder 6 Forces on Conductors 7 Basic Batteries 8 Make the Lights Go On 8 9 7 12 Electromagnetism 9 Tangent Galvanometer 10 Solenoid 6 Electromagnetism 11 Eddy Current Brake 12 Magical Mystery Magnetic Motion Current 5 Electricity 10 11 Applications & Uses of Electricity 13 Spark Transmitter 4 14 Reciprocating Motor 15 How a Telegraph Works 3 16 Morse Code 17 Resistance In Wires 18 Video: How Does Electricity 1 Static Electricity 2 Get Into Your Home? 19 Electrical Safety Dioramas EXHIBIT COMPONENTS

Static Electricity Electrostatic Generator Build up a static electricity charge with a wool cloth and plastic cylinder. Then, feel the “electric fire” as you hold your finger an inch away from the brass sphere—the shock that results is the same that you may store up when shuffling your feet on a carpet.

Triboelectricity Create an electric charge by rubbing the plastic top of the box with wool or other materials. The charged plastic induces a charge in the loose materials inside the box, and they are attracted to the top.

Plasma Tube Create lightning in a tube! A visitor favorite, this tube is filled with a mixture of gases that reacts with electricity from the central electrode to produce “plasma lightning.” Watch in awe as the lightning spirals outward in tendrils of purple, pink, and blue. Place your hand on the globe to attract a single stream of colored plasma. Plasma Tube

Triboelectricity Electrostatic Generator Current Electricity Jumping Ring Push a button causing electricity to be discharged, repelling a ring atop the device.

Jacob’s Ladder Voltage passes through two rods in this interactive. Press a button and a transformer will increase voltage between the alternating current to the extent that the air around it becomes ionized. An arc forms and rises as the surrounding air is heated.

Jumping Ring Forces on Conductors Forces on Conductors How do flowing currents relate to magnetic fields? Send a large current at a low voltage through two copper poles, and watch the poles react by pushing or pulling against each other, depending on the direction of the current.

Basic Batteries Become a battery by placing your hands on two of the four metal plates. Your body becomes the electrolyte connecting the two electrodes, causing movement in a meter. Then, experiment between four plates to see which pairs of electrodes complete the circuit.

Make the Lights Go On Make a simple transformer. When electricity in a coil creates a changing magnetic field it creates electricity in a second coil. Visitors experience this first-hand by lifting a coil until the lights above turn on. Electricity is being transferred from the top coil to the bottom one.

Reciprocating Motor EXHIBIT COMPONENTS

Electromagnetism Tangent Galvanometer This instrument uses the earth’s magnetic polarization to show the electric flow passing through its coils. See how electricity can be used to manipulate the direction of a compass needle. Varying amounts of electricity will have different effects on the compass according to the magnetic field created by the coils. Magical Mystery Magnetic Motion Solenoid Create a magnetic field by pushing a button, which moves a magnetic rod through a copper spool. This pools enough energy to create a magnetic field strong enough to hold the heavy rod up.

Eddy Current Brake Turn a crank and create a magnetic field. In the middle is a moving disc which is the conductor for the field. Then, step on a pedal, the resulting resistance makes it very difficult for the disc to rotate in any direction.

Magical Mystery Magnetic Motion What is causing a magnet to move? Press the button to reveal what is hidden in the lowermost box of the display. A rotating magnet hidden below causes the above magnet to be set into motion, causing the movement the visitor first observed. How Does Electricity Tangent Galvanometer Get Into Your Home?

Morse Code Applications and Uses of Electricity Spark Transmitter Listen and watch while pressing a telegraph key to observe the sounds (and sparks) made by the earliest wireless transmitters. Resistance In Wires Reciprocating Motor Timing is key for this activity. Try to get the flywheel turning by cranking the wheel and using the manual button. Then, push a button to connect the motor to the power supply through the commutator. This turns the coils on and off at just the right time to keep the motor running.

How a Telegraph Works Telegraphs use open and closed circuits to energize electro- magnets in sounders at a receiving end.

Morse Code Morse code is an alphabet developed for the telegraph. Send each other messages across two machines and experiment with a telegraph key hooked to a readout of the resulting messages.

Resistance In Wires Illuminate three light bulbs and observe the difference in Electrical Safety Dioramas brightness. What makes them different? The filament’s resistance determines brightness. Each bulb has a different resistance. Three factors affect the resistance of a wire: Spark Transmitter thickness, length, and type of material.

Video: How Does Electricity Get Into Your Home? Learn how electricity travels through the electrical grid to the outlet in your home.

Electrical Safety Dioramas What happens if you aren’t careful around electricity? Take a lighthearted look at the dangers of electricity in these interactive dioramas and learn about the dangers that can occur if you aren’t careful. OVERVIEW

Electricity is constructed in a modular setup spanning 800–1,000 square feet, making it an ideal option for smaller spaces. The exhibit is very easy to setup, it rolls right off the truck and can plug right in so your guests can enjoy the exhibit immediately. The exhibit has been hosted successfully at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery and the Reading Public Museum. Electricity focuses on key topics in science and history, sparking engagement with the past in a unique way.

SIZE 800-1,000 square feet, 1 truck load

COMPONENTS 19 interactives

TARGET AUDIENCE Children ages 8+ and their families, students in grades 5-12

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS CONTACT INFORMATION Electricity has been a favorite of audiences for years at 1 staff memberrecommended The Franklin Institute and would be a great addition to to interact with visitors your science center, history museum, or general museum. The Franklin Institute is dedicated to the success of this SUPPORT program and will provide resources to assist your staff professional photos in operation. Contact us today to get started. and press release examples Abigail Bysshe PRICE Director of Business Development , plus inbound shipping [email protected] $10,000 215.448.2368 www.fi.edu/exhibitservices