The possibility of teaching some astrophysics subjects with marbling art

Energy Education Science and Technology Part B: Social and Educational Studies 2009 Volume (issue) 1(3): 103-113

The possibility of teaching some astrophysics subjects with marbling art

Nevzat Yigit1,*, M. S. Bulbul2

1Department of Primary Education, Black Sea Technical University, Fatih Faculty of Education, Trabzon, Turkey

2Department of Physics Education, Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Education, Ankara,

Turkey

Received: 03 February 2009; accepted: 06 April 2009 Abstract In this study, there is a connection between art and science. Some astrophysics subjects were tried to indicate how galaxies formed or black-hole’s structure was with marbling art. The study includes process of marbling art and some comments about method from attendants of the 5th International Student Conference of Balkan Physical Union. Ebru art which means “on the water” was used to decorate papers in the art of the Ottoman. Ebru art is known as “marbling art” in the European community. Marbling art uses to make figures with different dye in specially prepared water as a method usually for visual and artistic aims. It is also used for therapy due to its relaxing characteristic. This study is carried out to transfer ebru art to the area of physics education. In this vein especially “formation of galaxies” has been chosen as a topic for teaching it visually by using ebru art. Stars take shape with slack dispersion of nebulas through intensification with the effect of gravity. Formation of galaxies seems to be appropriate theme for teaching a physics subject with marbling art. Keywords: Marbling Art, Astrophysics Subjects © Sila Science. All rights reserved.

________________ *Corresponding author. Tel.: +90-462-377-7056, Fax: +90-462-248-7344. E-mail: [email protected] (N. Yigit).

104 N. Yigit, M.S. Bulbul / EEST Part B Social and Educational Studies 1 (2009) 103-113

1. Introduction

Ebru art which means “on the water” was used to decorate papers in the art

of the Ottoman. Ebru art is known as “marbling art” in the European

community. In Persian language “Ebri” means “cloud” and later on the

pronunciation of word changed to “Ebru”[1].

Marbling art uses to make figures with different dye in specially prepared

water as a method usually for visual and artistic aims. It is also used for therapy

due to its relaxing characteristic. However, so far there have not been any

studies about the use of ebru art for teaching a topic in physics education.

This study is carried out to transfer ebru art to the area of physics education.

In this vein especially “formation of galaxies” has been chosen as a topic for

teaching it visually by using ebru art. Formation of galaxies seems to be

appropriate theme for teaching a physics subject with marbling art. Also galactic

black holes and nebulas are possible themes for this study. After deciding to

teach formation of galaxies and slack dispersion of nebulas with marbling art,

some images has taken to illustrate the similarities between marbling art images

and real photos of the formation of galaxies, galactic black holes, galaxies

helical construction and nebulas. It is expected that with this newly developed

method teaching of topics about space will be more enjoyable and entertaining.

Stars take shape with slack dispersion of nebulas through intensification with

the effect of gravity. Formation of galaxies is similar but they take shape after

the big bang (or huge explosions). Individually intensive nebulas create stars

while centrally driven black holes create helical structure of galaxies [2].

N. Yigit, M.S. Bulbul / EEST Part B Social and Educational Studies 1 (2009) 103-113 105

Some nebulas (Photo-1), a helical galaxy (Photo-2), and a computer

simulation for central galactic reverse black hole (Photo-3) photos given below

in order to determine the similarities with Ebru 1 and Ebru 2. One of the reasons

for the similarity between these is the mechanism of Ebru. Due to use of water,

dye spreads like free movements of clouds. Creating images of galaxies which

have been formed in billion years, in the ebru pool helps students to learn it

through hands on experience.

Photo 1. Some nebulas.


Photo 2. A view of helical galaxy.

Photo 3. A simulation of central reverse black hole.


2. Material and method

In order to demonstrate the helical formation of galaxies and nebulas with

marbling art first step is to prepare water. The degree of density of water should

be increased. Fort this reason gum should be added to water to reach the

deserved degree of density [3]. If the gum is not poured as powder from above, a

problem of clustering could be occurring.

Dense water will be ready for dripping paint on after a while. It is needed to

use a strainer to filter other objects apart from the liquid in the water. After that

with the help of paint brushes soil paints can be dripped on to the water. In

marbling art specifically prepared soil paints are used. The use of water paint is

possible, but as paints spreads very quickly it is very difficult to control the

images. Some forms can be given to prepared dye with using various tools, like

nailed piece of wood [4].

When a deserved image created on the water a paper should be laid on the

water in order to absorb the paint. The absorption takes around 15 seconds [5].

During these activities mat papers, which is more absorbent, should be used

instead of varnished paper. After absorption the paper should be taken by

scraping to put off gum into the marbling medium. At the end of to separate gum

on the paper we should second medium which expect only water. Drying paper

through leaving it to day light is not suggested but to leave it to dry in the

shadow on laths [5].

There can be a blank between water and paper and this situation impedes the

absorption of paint, to solve the problem a needle cab be used to make a hole on

paper. After drying the paper it is also required to be ironed from the reverse side

to make flat the wrinkled side of paper.


In this activity in order to obtain nebula figures paints should be dropped

randomly on to the water and should be spread by using some tools. In order to

obtain realistic images, similar colors with photos should be preferred.

To obtain helical galaxies firstly colors in the real photo should be used from

out to the centre to drop in due order to make helical shape. All drops should

come to each others’ centre. After that at the centre a whirlpool should be created

by using some tools. At the centre because of the mix of the paints a black color

will occur. This will describe the black holes of galaxies which are at the center.

The densest place in a galaxy is centre of it. Black holes are also very dense

astrophysical objects. The main effects of shaping galaxies are size of black

holes and rotation of them [6].

The modelling, which had been chosen as the topic of this study, was

introduced to attendants of the 5th International Student Conference of Balkan

Physical Union (iscbpu-5) on 21–24 August 2007, in Bodrum-Turkey.

Below are the comments from five field experts and a student who attended

the demonstration as audience.

“It is a very interesting way to show and feel physics by these beautiful

pictures. Thank you!”. Atanaska ANDREEVA, Vice President of Balkan

Physical Society.

“It is a very interesting presentation. Maybe you could connect the story with

fractals”. Milica PAVKOV-HRVOJEVIC, scientist from scientific committee

of iscbpu-5.

“This experiment gives important information on many physical effects.

Various complex pictures containing fractal and other complicated structures

can be presented along with a way of their creation-connected to a realistic or

possible mechanism. The demonstration is rather impressive”. Nenad

NOVKOVSKI, scientist from scientific committee of iscbpu-5.


Photo 4. Introduction of the simulation to scientists and students.

“Good idea. A good example experts and a student who attended the

demonstration as audience to explain the nature phenomenon to students. And,

an interesting simulation by the way”. Danica KRSTOVSKA, scientist from

scientific committee of iscbpu-5.

“Very nice connection between art and physics”. Makro POPOVIC, scientist

from Advisory committee of iscbpu-5.


“It is a nice experiment to simulate the Big Bang theory. People can have

more ideas about this subject with the help of this virtual show. Also, it is really

nice to make this kind of show”. Naim ATLAY, student from Gaziantep

University

3. Results and discussion

In Ebru 1 below a probable nebula figure has been tried to be obtained.

Because of using black background makes it more realistic. With white paint

drops images of stars are created.

One of the advantages of this method is that the spread of paint as waves and

the similarity between this spreading and the big bang (formation of the

universe).

In Ebru 2 shown how helical formation created by the circular movements of

brushes with paint. The important point here is the creation of black focus at the

centre of ebru. In this way formation of black holes at the centers of all galaxies

can be taught to students.

Teaching helical structure of galaxies, nebulas and galactic black holes

through this method (using marbling art) is an authentic and original method as

student gets only one print at one activity and the obtained print on paper is a

long lasting image. This method will help students to learn the related topics by

doing it as students learn through natural ways. Some of disadvantages of this

method are the loss of time during teaching marbling art and the cost of tools.


Ebru 1. Some studies for explaining nebulas in Universe.

Ebru 2. A view of helical galaxies and central black holes by marbling art.

Student who sees the spreading of the paint when it dropped to water will

create own universe and galaxy figures and this will encourage student to be

curious about astrophysics in which he/she will be able to control the events.


A computer simulation created by B.C. Bromley, W.A. Miller and V.I.

Pariev (Photo 3) has been published on 1st of January, in the journal titled as

“Nature”[7]. When Ebru 2 examined closely it can be seen that this image can

also be created by using marbling art method. Consequently, with ebru modeling

students will comprehend complex events easily without using computer based

simulations.

4. Conclusion

The authors describes their paper-marbling tool, based on a traditional

Turkish art form in which marbled-paper figures and patterns are created on the

surface of a liquid bath.

This study is carried out to transfer ebru art to the area of physics education.

In this vein especially “formation of galaxies” has been chosen as a topic for

teaching it visually by using ebru art. Formation of galaxies seems to be

appropriate theme for teaching a physics subject with marbling art.

In order to demonstrate the helical formation of galaxies and nebulas with

marbling art first step is to prepare water. The degree of density of water should

be increased. Dense water will be ready for dripping paint on after a while. It is

needed to use a strainer to filter other objects apart from the liquid in the water.

This method will help students to learn the related topics by doing it as

students learn through natural ways.

References

[1] Ackerman P. Wallpaper, the history, design and use, Mitzahireichen Abb., New York, 1923.


[2] Kepner JV. Inside-out galaxy format on. Astrophys J 1999;520:59-66. [3] Turkmenoglu TM. Ebru marbling paper, Milenyum Press, Istanbul, 1999. [4] Rougier V. Marbling on paper fabric and objects, London: Aurum Press, 2000. [5] Barutcugil H. The dream of water ebru/the living tradition, Ebristan Press, 2005. [6] Greene JE. Active galactic nuclei with candidate intermadiate-mass black holes. Astrophys J 2004;610:722-736. [7] Bromley BC, Miller WA, Pariev VI. The inner edge of the accretion disk around a supermassive black hole. Nature 1998;391:54-56.

The possibility of teaching some astrophysics subjects with marbling art

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