Circus Physicus enables you to play your way to learning more about physical and technical phenomena such as gearing, air pressure and power transmission.

What all the wonderful phenomena in Circus Physicus have in common is that they are of great practical importance for us in our daily lives – however, they may take place out of view so you do not give them much thought.

In Circus Physicus the phenomena take center stage – here, we let you try your hand at them and tell you about the underlying science.

Below you will find a few of the physics phenomena:

The gyro suitcase

The gyro suitcase is a completely hopeless travelling companion, because when you walk around in your own thoughts, the suitcase will head off in a completely different direction.

Bed of nails

Who has not always wanted to try lying on a bed of pointed nails?

In Circus Physicus, you will discover that it is not so difficult after all!

Play with the forces of air

The beach ball magically floats in the current of air, and it is even possible with a little skill to play ball between the two blowers.

Can you lift a heavy sack?

It feels completely different to lift the three identical sacks with the rope. With a pulley or two however, it becomes possible to hoist the heavy sack from the floor – it feels like magic!

Horizontal balancing beam

How is your body weight distributed? Can you lie down balanced on this special seesaw? Only very small movements will make you tilt up and down – what is horizontal for you?

Play with rotation

The table top rotates, and you have to experiment with balls, rings and discs: How do they roll across the table? Can you make them remain stationary, while the table is still spinning?

Photo: David Trood.