Curved Space

From UO Physics Demonstration Catalog

Return to Gravitation

Curved Space.jpg

Description:

This is a piece of lycra stretched over a wooden frame (~2 sq. ft.) with an inked grid. A heavy ball will cause a localized stretching of the lycra to provide an analogy to the curvature of space caused by a massive body. Place one or more heavy balls as desired. A very light ball will be attracted to the larger ball due to the curved space, like a gravitational attraction. You can put other balls into a decaying "orbit" around the larger ball,. ee also "Potential Wells" under Mechanics-Kinematics in 1-3 Dim.

Location:

  • Wall next to Shelf O
  • Balls: Drawers 6 and 8