Description
How does this work?
The patterns that are created by this ruler depend on three variables:
- the radius of the fixed disc,
- the radius of the revolving disc
- the location of the pen on the moving disc.
By changing one of these variables you can get many, many different patterns!
Using the spiralgraph ruler
When you look at the ruler, there are several points where there is one gear that spins inside a big circle (that also has gears!).
- The pen is placed in a hole of the gear.
- Begin to move the spiralgraph ruler.
- As the centre of the gear is moving, the pen is pushed into elliptical patterns.
- Try different points of the inner gear to get different patterns.
Teaching ideas
- How many patterns can you make in 5 minutes?
- How are ellipses found in modern gear systems?
- How can ellipses describe the motion of the planets around the Sun?
School maths visit that expands on this mathematics teaching resource
Find out about the Working Mathematically school maths incursion
I just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!
-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big FunThanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.
-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big FunFizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.
-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun DayFizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.
-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big FunI just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!
-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big FunThanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.
-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big FunFizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.
-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun DayFizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.
-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big Fun