NIEHS Kids Page -- Fun and Games with Shapes and Patterns/Spirograph and 3D Models

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Fun with Shapes and Patterns!

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The patterns and shapes of things tell scientists a lot about the various materials they are studying. They look at the shapes and patterns revealed in tissue samples, genes, tumors, viruses, chemical structures, etc., to help them learn more about various health problems. But most of the patterns and shapes studied by research scientists cannot be seen with the human eye! Therefore, they frequently use equipment like visual or electronic microscopes and MRI's to help them see "more than meets the eye." Such special equipment and other up-to-date research techniques help them to eventually determine the cause of disease and how to prevent or treat it.

You can create many different shapes, patterns, and colors of your own by designing your own spirograph! Also have some fun experimenting with the shapes and patterns of some 3-D chemical structures. And after experimenting with the spirographs, why not learn more about becoming an environmental scientist yourself someday!

Design Your Own Spirograph!

(Slide the bars left and right to create many different patterns)

(Visit the 3D Models next!)

What is a Spirograph?

A "spirograph" is a curve that is defined by the following equations involving the trigonometric functions sine and cosine:

x = (R+r)cos(t) - (r+O)cos(((R+r)/r)t)
y = (R+r)sin(t) - (r+O)sin(((R+r)/r)t)

The sine and cosine functions are used to describe circular motion. R and r are the radii of the fixed and the moving circles, and O is the offset in the moving circle.

Fun with 3D Shapes and Structures!

Click and drag your mouse across the chemical models below, and you'll see the patterns and shapes more completely!

Water (H²O)

Benzene (C⁶H⁶)

Aspiring young scientists
should also visit the
advanced models,
with special effects!

Ammonia (NH³)

Ethane (C²H⁶)

Cyclohexane ( C⁶H¹²)

GAMES and SURPRISES PAGE!

Back to the NIEHS Kids' Pages Index for More Fun!

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When you encounter this image link to a non-NIEHS site

or the words "Non-NIEHS Link", it means that by following that link you will be leaving the NIEHS website. NIEHS is NOT responsible for non-NIEHS websites. Sites maintained by outside organizations may be changed without notice to NIEHS. Therefore, unless the link is to another U.S. government sponsored webpage, endorsement by NIEHS is not implied, and NIEHS does not guarantee their continuing safe content or privacy policies. So please ask your parent or guardian before continuing to any non-NIEHS website, and especially before providing any information via the internet or by e-mail. When last reviewed, the websites linked from the NIEHS Kids' Pages seemed suitable for you to visit, but that may have changed; if you have any difficulties or concerns with any linked materials, please let us know.