Function of light

How does the exhibit work?

Press the button. The light in the pendulum turns on. Push the pendulum into motion. You see a wave appear on the conveyor belt.Turn the disc to make the conveyor belt go faster.

What is the science behind it?

By lifting and releasing the pendulum, you can see that you are making a wave on the conveyor belt. If you lift the pendulum higher, the wave tops are also higher. If you let the belt go faster, the waves become longer.

Scientists like to describe waves to better understand the world around us. Waves are everywhere. Think of the waves in the sea. Want to impress your friends next time you go to the coast? Don't say: "Wow, those waves are high!", say: "Wow, those waves have a great amplitude! This is the word that scientists use, and they don’t say 'short waves', they say 'small wavelength'. Scientists use this information to create a mathematical formula or 'function', to know how the wave moves in time.

Do you want to know why the conveyor belt gives off light? Take a look at the "Luminous wall".

Baby ducklings and waves

Why do baby ducklings swim in a row behind their mummy? This is because she makes waves in the water. The duckling that swims directly behind its mother chooses specifically the place where it can 'surf' the waves. That way it doesn't have to swim as fast.

The length of the waves should suit the size of the duckling. The mother duck can change this by adjusting her speed.

Not only does the first duckling surf along. It passes on the wave to the back. That way, its brothers and sisters can also benefit from the wave.