Magdeburg Hemisphere

The exhibit aims to introduce the basic concept of negative pressure and better understand the existence of atmospheric pressure to visitors through the Madberg Hemisphere Experimental Device.

The unit is designed for unsupervised public use: controls are recessed or shielded, moving parts are enclosed, and the interface is operable by a child of about six with no instruction. Where a screen is used, the language can be switched without changing the hardware, and the content can be replaced on site.

The exhibit features three Madberg hemisphere experimental devices, each with a corresponding start button and a pressure gauge next to the button. visitors press the button to start the suction of the hemispherical dome with the top. The air pump exhausts the air inside the sphere, waiting for a vacuum to form inside the sphere. Then, they grip the bottom handle of the plastic sphere tightly and pull it downwards with force, creating an up and down confrontation with the upper half of the sphere. Surprisingly, visitors can pull the handle downwards or hang it without separating the two hemispheres.