Physicalisches Cabinet
The collection of historical physical instruments at the I. Physics Institute, also known as the "Physicalisches Cabinet", allows its visitors to gain insight into the history of physics at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen through its collection of historical measuring instruments.
The history of the collection began when the current exhibits were moved from the Michaelishaus to the new physics building on Bunsenstraße. Fortunately, they survived almost 250 years largely intact in a naturally climate-controlled cellar. When the university celebrated its 250th anniversary in the last century, the "Sammlung Physicalischer Apparate" (Collection of Physical Instruments) of the I. Physikalischen Institut was promoted for the first time. The collection of physical instruments from the early days of physics in Göttingen found a new, prominent home in the "Physicalisches Cabinet" with the move to the new physics building in 2003, located at the entrance to the lecture halls. The museum showcases selected exhibits from classical experimental physics, astrophysics, and geophysics, and contains exhibits on the birth of quantum mechanics. The unique historical witnesses show more than 275 years of physical tradition at the University of Göttingen in connection with Lichtenberg, Weber, Gauss, and the important developments in the field of quantum mechanics at the beginning of the 20th century.
Regular opening hours
Thursdays from 12:00-14:00 (during building opening hours, not on holidays), and additionally during the semester before the Physical Colloquium, Mondays 16:00-16:30. Otherwise by appointment!
The collection will be closed on July 24, 2025 due to vacation time!
The "Forum Wissen" has been open since summer as a collection-spanning knowledge museum of the University of Göttingen. Of course, you can also admire exhibits from the Physikalische Cabinet there (see Link), including a replica of Gauss's vice heliotrope. An article about this has also been published in the Mitteilungen Nr. 59 of the Gauss-Gesellschaft Göttingen (Content). A highlight in the Forum Wissen, which will be open from December 15, is the collection showcase, where all collections have the opportunity to exhibit changing objects. Here, we focus on three exhibits from the 20th century, at least one of which will surely be familiar to some visitors!
As part of the research project on the Pohl teaching collection, a short film titled "Hinter den Schatten" (Behind the Shadows) has been created, which takes a look behind the scenes of the Göttingen experimental physics lectures in the tradition of Robert Wichard Pohl. It can be viewed under the following Link in the AV-Portal of the Technische Informationsbibliothek. Additionally, there is now a showcase on Robert Wichard Pohl in the collection.
As part of the lecture series "Sach-Verstand" (Understanding Things), Michael Markert and Daniel Steil gave a lecture titled "Robert Wichard Pohl's long shadow. Innovative physical teaching for the 20th century from Göttingen". A recording can be found on the YouTube channel of the University: Link.
Information on the progress of the research project on the Pohl teaching collection can also be found on Michael Markert's blog: Schattenprojektionen.
News: May 2025
The 6th Night of Science will take place at the university on June, the 21st. The program is already online. The physics collections will also take part again.
News: March 2025
Since 27.03.25 the exhibition Was zum Quant!?" in the Forum Wissen is open, looking at 100 years of Quantum mechanics in the context of the Quantum Year 2025. Enjoy!
News: August 2024
Almost 250 years ago, Georg Christoph Lichtenberg discovered the so-called Lichtenberg figures, patterns that are created by high-voltage discharges on or in dielectrics. One might think that this is old news? Not at all, even today these electrostatic discharge phenomena are still the subject of cutting-edge research, as shown by this paper published in Science in July: Dynamics of high-speed electrical tree growth in electron-irradiated polymethyl methacrylate (access may be restricted to authorized users). Thanks to T. Weitz for the tip.
News: May 2024
With great pleasure we announce our newest five exhibits: folding stool for our visitor, if the tour does not seem to end again! A big thank you to Forum Wissen for the help with ordering!
News: January 2024
A project long in the making is finally online - a virtual tour of our historic collection (dated 2021). A big thanks to Scasa GmbH.
News: October 2023
Starting 12th of October 2023 the collection will now open on Thursdays from 12:00-2:00 pm until further notice (regular working days, holidays exempt).
News: September 2023
We have an article on our objects in the "Sammlungsschaufenster" of Forum Wissen. Enjoy the read!
News: 07 Dec 2022
The "Sammlungsschaufenster" within the "Forum Wissen" opens on December 15, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Further information on the opening can be found on the website of the Sammlungsschaufenster.