The Radiometer -  "The sphere powered by the sun". Is it a lesson in thermodynamics or is it a very cool science toy? Well it's both! This solar powered engine was patented in 1878! The radiometer has 4 "flags" (two black and two silver) and when the sun, or even incandescent light or a laser, hits the vanes, the mill starts spinning inside the glass bulb and reaches speeds of up to 3000 RPM! Amazing to watch and en"light"ening to learn all about solar energy converting into mechanical energy. Harness the power of the sun.

What you'll get:

• Solar Radiometer.
• Educational Information Included.

Incredible Science Fun Learning Ideas:

• A lesson in thermodynamics as well as solar energy and mechanical energy.
• Learn how light, heat and air pressure are related.
• Learn all about the radiometer and its other names and the science behind it. "Crookes Radiometer", aka the "Light Mill".The radiometer was invented in 1873 by the chemist Sir Willams Crooke and the way it works has been the subject of debate for many years by famous people such as Albert Einstein and Osborne Reynolds. This solar powered engine was patented in 1878. Basically, it can be partially reasoned that the reason the vanes spin is because when the gas molecules hit the warmer side of the vane it picks up some heat and bounces off the vane with greater speed, and using this extra boost, the vanes spin around because of the extra pressure that was put on one side of the vane.