Potential Difference Exhibit
In this interactive exhibit, students/visitors can elevate liquid in a beaker and observe the flow of water from higher to lower potential, along with seeing the same explained in an illuminated poster as well.

Background

A rotary knob turns an elevation mechanism which takes one of the beakers up and down. The beakers are connected using a flexible pipe to each other's outlet at the bottom. While one beaker is at fixed height, other beaker can be moved up and down relative to it using a knob provided in the exhibit.

This exhibit is used to self-explain the potential difference concept in electronics or liquid levels using simple and easy to understand method.

Potential Difference Setup built
and integrated with electronics.

Sensor array that detects level
of the beaker that moves.

Bare mechanism before integration to electronics

Electronic cloud display which illuminates more segments of cloud
as potential increases.

Electronics integrated and testing being carried out.

Bare electronics being tested.

This project was developed for an NGO which is into building Scientific Exhibitions, Museums and upgrade Science Demonstration infrastructure in schools called Deenabandhu. As part of an Energy themed Science Museum they were setting up this exhibit was developed by Ideas Unlimited, Mysuru.

Deenabandhu is a charitable Non-Profit Organization located in Chamarajnagar. Deenabandhu works towards the education and rehabilitation of orphan, destitute and estranged children. The trust is also into Science, innovation and teaching Science to school children and other activities.

Deenabandhu Trust, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka

Fun Science Gallery Exhibit that explains
Potential difference concept.


This exhibit demonstrates flow of potential energy from higher potential to lower potential (levels) similar to Current in a circuit. A display with two cloud like graphic, is rigged to this setup through an array of sensors. Whenever one beaker is at higher level than the other, this display estimates the potnetial and displays it in graphic form. It also depicts flow of water from one beaker to other and direction reversal etc.

Several concepts related to potential difference in electronics or physics can be understood with this interactive exhibit. The final product that evolved from this was intuitive and easy to explain the potential difference concept.

How it was built?

Click on left/right buttons to scroll through the pictures and description to see how it was built!