Toys & Gadgets Involving Thermodynamics & Electricity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around toys and gadgets that incorporate principles of thermodynamics and electricity. Participants share resources, specific toy examples, and express curiosity about the mechanisms behind these toys.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about websites that provide instructions for making toys related to thermodynamics or electricity, mentioning a specific site, www.scitoys.com.
  • Another participant expresses gratitude for the mentioned site but does not provide additional resources.
  • A participant introduces the "light energy ball" toy, describing its glowing mechanism when touched and expressing interest in understanding how it works and how to make one.
  • A different participant references "harbor putt-putt" boats, which operate using steam generated from boiling water, suggesting they are available through American Science and Surplus.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on specific resources or methods for creating toys, and multiple examples and inquiries remain open for discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the mechanisms of the toys mentioned, and there are no detailed explanations provided for the functioning of the light energy ball or the putt-putt boats.

franz32
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Hello everyone!

Does anyone know what sites show how to make toys that involve thermodynamics or electricity?

I know one, www.scitoys.com[/URL]

Or, does anyone know of any toy or gadget that interestingly uses thermodynamics or electircity?
 
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Thanks for that GREAT site! Unfortunately I do not know any other ones for you.

Cheers,
Freek Suyver.
 
Light energy ball

Hmmm, this time I thinking of something...

Does anyone know about the toy light energy ball? I find it very interesting but it seems not to be very easy as it seems.

It looks like a plastic ball with two metal contacts inside it. It glows when one touches the ball.

What makes me wonder is that how does the ball glow just by touching it? Speaking of which, does anyone know how to make one?
 
Originally posted by franz32
does anyone know of any toy or gadget that interestingly uses thermodynamics or electircity?

There are these old toys that are available through "American Science and Surplus"
www.sciplus.com

The toy is called something like "harbor putt-putt" boats. THey are small tin tugboats that run on a small votive candle that boils water in a chamber. LIttle bursts of steam are forced through the tail pipes and the boats motor around whatever body of water you got.

The same source has other things too, but these little boats are pretty cheap.
 

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