Loop the Loop

A blue exhibit table with a blue, white and red information panel on top. On the top of the table intertwined red, blue and yellow steel bars, with a white rope with a knot tied in it, that is around the yellow bar.
A blue exhibit table with a blue, white and red information panel on top. On the top of the table intertwined red, blue and yellow steel bars, with a white rope with a knot tied in it, that is around the yellow bar.

Topology puzzles explore patterns in space.

How it works

Thread a loop around two interlocking poles in this puzzle.

Things to try or ask around the exhibit

How can we relocate the rope between the poles?

Background

Topology is a branch of mathematics that investigates how objects form in three dimensional space.

Finding the science in your world

Topology can be applied to many situations, ranging from how material may be woven together for strength, through to growing biological molecules in a laboratory, or preventing a telephone handset cord from twisting too much.

On Display