We have taken advantage of the recent release of the new ‘Star Wars’ trilogy to make our previous show “Superpoderes… ¿o física?” more interactive and contemporary. This activity has been carried out -so far- at the Liceo Castilla Maristas on May 13th, 2016, where 350 students of E.S.O. and Bachillerato enjoyed it. It has had a very good feedback from both teachers and students. The length of the spectacle was one hour and a half. The experiments were divided into three different sections. All of them were introduced by different scenes, starring well-known Star Wars characters. A script for this play was created and elaborated.
The first part corresponds to the light (Jedi) side of the Force and the experiments were the following:
Vapor Display: In order to highlight the importance of the light-matter interaction, Leia uses a vapor screen to show the maps for the next mission, and she explains how it works.
Levitation: Rey travels back in time to be trained by Yoda, who is levitating using a well-known trick.
Lenz Tube: Yoda asks Rey to explain why two balls (non-magnetic and magnetic) fall with different accelerations.
Refractive index and invisibility: Yoda asks Rey to look for a ‘cristal’ for her lightsaber. Rey discovers a lot of them hidden in water where they cannot be seen, because these balls have the same refractive index as water.
As the last task of the training, Rey must walk over cristal carrying Yoda on her back, recreating somehow the 5th film scene with Luke and Yoda.
The second part is about the dark (Sith) side of the Force:
Vortex: Kylo asks Vader to train him and Vader challenges Kylo to extinguish three candles with the Force. Initially, it seems possible, but finally Vader finds a stormtrooper who is actually doing it with an air vortex and explains it.
Van der Graff: Although Kylo cannot pass the challenge, he finally persuades Vader to teach him. The first device he exhibits is a Van der Graff generator, with which they perform several experiments that insist on the idea of voltage.
Tesla coil: Vader shows Kylo another way to create a high voltage, not by accumulating charges but by electromagnetic induction.
Leidenfrost: Vader explains Kylo how he can burn his hands with no harm to avoid History to be repeated. Moreover, the audience can experience it.
In the last part of the show, the two sides of the Force face each other and the public takes part in the duel:
Luminiscence and fluorescent tubes: Rey and Kylo pretend a combat with two types of lightsaber: fluorescent tubes (blue and red), powered by hidden plasma balls, and two fluorescent-painted sticks. Both are explained by a stormtrooper in a soliloquy while Rey and Kylo pose with the fluorescent tubes on.
Mechanics games: They will insist on the concept of force and center of mass and the public is encouraged to participate.
The show finishes with a final speech against pseudoscience and supporting critical thinking.