Resonance Research presents The Theater-of-Science©
Imagine . . . . . . . . . .
You enter a slightly darkened room and take a seat in the auditorium/theater. A soft, dim red lamp illuminates a strange looking machine with a large metal dome. Other visitors assume their seats in eager anticipation, and soon all are ready for the show to begin.
Suddenly, the red lamp dims, and the metal dome begins crackling and hissing. The sound grows in intensity as purple flames begin leaping from the dome. They slowly grow larger and larger as they streak through the air. The sparks begin striking a nearby ground terminal and the current grows as large power arcs of electricity form in the air. The power arcs begin reaching upwards ever higher and higher as if trying to escape from their confines of the ground terminal. Huge one million Volt bolts of lightning zap across the stage and, suddenly, the sparks stop and the stage is once again in total darkness.
A white spotlight comes up slowly to reveal an elderly scientist sitting on a stool fiddling with an old slide rule. He says, “Welcome to my laboratory. Would you like to learn something about electricity --- the invisible servant that does so much work for us in our daily lives, but yet, we never see it”? “In this Theater-of-Science, with your kind help, we will perform some interesting experiments and learn about electricity and magnetism”.
The program begins as the scientist selects volunteers from the audience to assist him with his investigations of the strange phenomena known as electricity.
Young girls hair stands on end as the audience chuckles, invisible magnetic fields crush common soda cans, powerful electrical sparks ignite tissue papers, flaming arcs of electricity dance upwards of 15 feet towards the ceiling as they sing a chorus of 60 Hertz humming, wireless waves of electricity travel through the air and magically light up lamps held in your bare hand --- with no wire connection whatsoever!
Invisible fingers of magnetism propel aluminum rings high into the air where they are caught by a young girl holding a baseball glove, the Aurora Borealis jumps to light before your startled eyes and a powerful hand-held magnet twists and contorts the Aurora into beautiful colors and shapes. Soda cans are crushed by an invisible magnetic field and copper wires vanish with a powerful capacitor discharge explosion that produces a shock wave.
Young scientists in the audience are invited onstage to experiment with the astounding 4th state of matter --- plasma. Electrified fields of energy dance and flirt as the visitor’s fingers slowly move to and fro along the electrified tube of energy.
A boy and girl are invited onstage to participate in the “kiss of electrical energy” as each holds a special 6 foot long tube in his/her mouth and the electrical energy travels the length of the tube energizing the invisible neon gas into a plasma state. The plasma lights up with a bright neon orange glow in the darkened theater as the “electric kiss” travels through the tube at the speed of light.
A young high school aged audience member is asked directly to “test his/her faith in the laws of physics”. The volunteer is placed in a special Faraday cage and a “large painted (wooden prop) lock” is snapped on the door securing the visitor inside the cage. The old scientist, as he retires to his huge antique electrical knife switch, resembles a “mad scientist” in his laboratory. Prior to activating the switch, with a chuckle, the scientist asks the young volunteer, “What is your favorite flower? Just wanted to know in case we have a funeral tomorrow”! “May the force of your convictions be with you”.
As the scientist throws the enormous copper (prop) switch the metal dome once again springs to life spewing forth sparks and flames that dance and play all about the cage. Like a swarm of angry bees, a large Tesla coil directs millions of Volts of electrical energy to attack the Faraday cage while the volunteer appears perfectly safe inside. As the scientist opens the switch, the visitor steps out in complete safety, unharmed, and appears to be completely sane. A brief discussion of Michael Faraday’s famous “ice pail” experiment follows to explain to the astounded audience why the snapping, vicious sparks didn’t penetrate the large metal mesh cage.
The presentation continues with dramatic and spectacular displays of electrical energy and magnetic effects. After a thrilling 40 minute presentation, the scientist slips into the background and the stage lights slowly dim. Again, the large aluminum dome begins hissing, crackling, and spitting out tongues of fire that eagerly seek out the ground terminal. The sparks continue to grow in length and power --- 3 feet, 5 feet, 10 feet, and finally up to 12 feet in length. The excitement in the audience rises to a crescendo for 60 seconds, and then the sparks suddenly stop and the exit lights are slowly brought up to their bright state.
Audience members interrogate the old scientist, asking questions about the amazing performance and spectacular machines they have just witnessed. The scientist patiently answers all of their questions and passes out some free literature to guide their continued investigations into electrical matters. Teachers are given special handouts to use in the classroom to continue the education process and enlighten the students --- especially now that their interest in science has suddenly peaked!
Astounded, they slowly file out of the auditorium. They will all share their unique experience with their friends and invite them back to see the Theater-of-Science show for themselves.
This unique and spectacular display of electrical and magnetic energy will be long remembered by all who has witnessed in on a personal basis --- and they will be talking about their amazing museum experience and your museum --- for years to come.
Resonance Research Corporation Theater-of-Science presentations include the following spectacular special machines:
Model TM-150 1,000,000 Volt Tesla coil with Capt. Zeus Lightning-Thrower option
Model HV-800 800,000 Volt Van de Graaff Generator
Model DRT-100 Demonstration Package for M-150 Tesla coil
Model DK-100 Demonstration Package for HV-750 Van de Graaff Generator
Model MCA-50 50 kiloWatt Jacob’s Ladder Climbing Arc
Model CDM-200 60,000 Ampere Exploding Wire Machine
Model TP-300 Theta Pinch Electromagnetic Soda Can Crusher attachment for CDM-200 Machine
Model RRC-200 Central Control Console w/integrated 8 channel Light Dimmer/Controller
Model LIC-50 Room Lighting Interface Controller for RRC-200 Control Console
Four 4-channel Horizontal Light Bars w/PAR Lamps for RRC Lighting Controller Rear Accent Lights for high voltage machines
Four Model LS-100 wall-mount Antique Laboratory Shelves w/colored bubbling liquids and integrated halogen lamps (controlled from RRC-200 Control Console)
Model RP-100 Repulsion Coil Flying Ring
Model EM-100 Electromagnetic Principles Demonstrator
Model SG-50 Spectral Gas Tube Exhibit (pre-presentation for visitor interaction)
Two Model QR-22 22 inch dia. Plasma Globes (White Lightning globe and Pink Passion Flowers globe)
Two Model CT-100 wall-mount Vertical Crackle Tubes (pre-presentation for visitor interaction)
Eight wall-mount color shifting Litschenburg Discharge Plates, Globes, & Tubes
Theater-of-Science™ Plasma Doorway Entrance Display includes:
1 - Quiet Lightning model QL-50 horizontal Crackle Tube
2 - 14 inch dia. plasma globes
1 - model CT-100 Crackle Tube, green
1 - model CT-100 Crackle Tube, orange
Educator Hand-Out Kits for Classroom Activities Presentation Manuals and On-Site Training in techniques of:
Show Presentation
Equipment Maintenance
Staff & Audience Safety
Equipment Operational Information
All interconnecting, power, ground, and lighting cables
The spectacular Theater-of-Science programs are available in 5 levels including Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Iridium. The higher the level the more equipment is provided which requires a larger stage and higher levels of electric power. Floor to ceiling specifications can be provided to help you choose the best program to match your theater area and museum budget.
See also: Tesla coil, Van de Graaff generator, Repulsion coil, Plasma globe, Crackle tube, Lightning tube, Guessing the Gases exhibit, Exploding wire machine, Electromagnetic soda can crusher, Jacob’s ladder climbing arc, Resonance Research Corporation |
