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Exhibition closed
Newton’s cradle from the Physics exhibition

Photo: Deutsches Museum | Christian Illing

Natural Sciences

Physics – Discover, Explore and Understand

Getting to the bottom of things – physics provides the basis for understanding almost all the processes in our daily lives and is the foundation for technical progress.

Exhibition closed

The second half of the museum is currently being renovated, which is why this area has been closed since July 2022. The modernisation of the exhibition is scheduled to be completed in 2028, the 125th anniversary of the museum's founding.
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What is Physics?

Physics is characterised by the complex interplay of experiments and theoretical considerations with the aim of establishing laws of (inanimate) nature. One goal is to understand natural processes and to describe them in a mathematical form. The ideas developed as a result have both shaped and changed our world view far beyond the field of physics. Furthermore, the study of physical phenomena has always been focussed on finding ways to use these phenomena in practical applications. Therefore, physics is closely linked in many ways to the technology that shapes our world.

This exhibition provides an overview of the individual branches of physics – from classical mechanics to magnetism. However, this overview is very different to what you would find in a physics textbook. Rather than abstract formulae, laws of nature and theories, the exhibition focuses on the instruments and apparatus that are used to generate and share scientific knowledge. In addition, interactive activity stations and push-button experiments invite you to discover the basic principles of physics for yourself.

-196°Cis the temperature of the liquid nitrogen used during the demonstration in the Physics exhibition.

1687is the year Isaac Newton presented the three basic laws of motion in his “Principia Mathematica”.

16 horseswere not able to pull apart Otto von Guericke’s famous vacuum-pumped Magdeburg hemispheres.

Physics – Exhibition Themes

Reconstruction of a room with early mechanical tools.

Mechanics

People have been using mechanical tools from the early stages of human history.

Mechanics

Oscillations and Waves

Oscillations and waves form a special category of mechanical motion.

Oscillations and Waves

Thermodynamics

For a long time, there were very different ideas of what heat actually is.

Thermodynamics

Electrostatics and Magnetism

Research into electricity and magnetism has a very long history.

Electrostatics and Magnetism
“To

Highlights

Nitrogen demonstration in the Physics exhibition

When things hiss and bubble

Experiments with Liquid Nitrogen

With a temperature of -196°C, liquid nitrogen possesses some astonishing properties. In this demonstration, we carry out entertaining and impressive physics experiments relating to how the state of a substance changes with pressure and temperature.

More about the Experiments with Liquid Nitrogen

Experience Physics

Rotating platform

Try it out for yourself: control how fast you spin and experience the laws of physics in your own body.

Conservation of angular Momentum

Take part

For Children and Families

The Physics exhibition is an experience for everyone – one where you can get involved and try things out for yourself. The two interactive activity stations at the beginning of the exhibition are particularly suitable for small children – but are nevertheless a fascinating experience for everyone.

More about the Interactive Activity Stations

Activities around Physics

For School Groups

Activities and materials for teachers and school groups

Programme

Bookable Group Activities

Activities for families and groups

For Groups

Discover Science Live!

“Liquid Nitrogen” demonstration and “Physics in Everyday Life” guided tour.

Daily Programme

Supplementary Material and Publications about Physics

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Video

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Brief ”Highlights” Tour

Curator Daniela Schneevoigt and museum employee Anna-Lena Kämper present highlights from the Physics exhibition: Galileo’s workroom, nitrogen experiments and much more. The film is currently only available in German. (Running time: approx. 30 minutes)

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Experiments with Liquid Nitrogen

In the “Heat” area of the Physics exhibition, we demonstrate experiments with liquid nitrogen. This video features highlights of the demonstration (running time: approx. 8 minutes). The film is currently only available in German.

Facts

  • Exhibition area: around 1,100 sqm
  • around 100 exhibits, about 200 interactive activity stations, 2 reconstrcutions/ models

Objects from Heinrich Hertz

Oszillator, viereckig, von H. Hertz

From: Hertz, Heinrich

Date: 1886 - 1888

Kreisförmiger Resonator mit Messingspirale von H. Hertz

From: Hertz, Heinrich

Date: 1886 - 1888

Oscillator, Heinrich Hertz

From: Hertz, Heinrich

Date: 1886 - 1888

Apparat zum Nachweis des Verschiebungsstromes in Paraffin, Heinrich Hertz

From: Hertz, Heinrich

Date: 1886 - 1888

Drahtgitter für Polarisation von H. Hertz

From: Hertz, Heinrich

Date: 1886 - 1888

Hohlspiegel von H. Hertz (Sender)

From: Hertz, Heinrich

Date: 1886 - 1888

Hohlspiegel von H. Hertz (Empfänger)

From: Hertz, Heinrich

Date: 1886- 1888

Asphaltprisma zur Brechung der elektrischen Wellen von H. Hertz

From: Hertz, Heinrich

Date: 1886 - 1888

Planspiegel (Zinkblech) auf Holgestell von H. Hertz

From: Hertz, Heinrich

Date: 1886 - 1888

Any Questions?

Team Physics

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