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The mathematics of tides

Most people know something about what causes tides: if asked, almost everyone will say tides are caused by the moon. But if one delves a little deeper, it is easy to find many questions which arise naturally and are not so easy to answer. This interactive application tries to give an intuitive approach to some of the mathematics underlying tides, which is not so obvious for non specialists.

Platonic Solids

Submitted by Tom Crawford on

The Platonic Solids are some of the most beautiful and symmetrical shapes in the mathematical world and as a result have fascinated mathematicians for thousands of years. This exhibit explains their mathematical deifnition and how they have been used throughout history to model everything in our universe, from the classical elements of Ancient Greece through to Kepler’s model of the solar system. It also explores their appearance in nature and how humans have made use of their mathematical properties to improve the design of man-made objects. 

Fly faster? Fly shorter!

“Fly faster? Fly shorter!” is an educational math game (designed for one-player or two-players mode). Players fly a plane that cannot change speed, so they can win only by following the shortest route between the checkpoints they have to reach. But which is the shortest route on a map? Test your skill!

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Simulating the Melting of Ice Caps

Sea levels are rising for various reasons related to global warming. The glaciers of Antarctica and Greenland, known as ice caps or ice sheets, play a major role in sea level rise. Is it possible to predict future changes in these ice caps, and particularly the calving of icebergs into the ocean?

The module answers to this question by showing numerical simulations of ice sheet dynamics.

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Mathematic of Planet Earth - A new upgrade for the travelling hands’ on exhibition in 2017

Submitted by Guy-Antoine Dufourd on

In 2017, Centre Sciences with the collaboration of some mathematic researchers and laboratories, intends to develop new topics and experiences to upgrade the physical exhibition “Mathematic of Planet Earth”. There will increase public awareness of the crucial role of mathematics sciences to understand and manage the main Earth’s issues. There will allows teachers, students or public organizations to share interest and knowledge on a cultural and scientific event in numerous places. 

Among the new ones: Maths in nature / A solid core for the Earth / Digital sundial / Lorenz’s chaotic mill / Avalanches seeds / Resist to earthquakes / Mechanical soliton…

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