Gravity Simulator

[ProGamerElite]

Gravity Simulator

 

Although making some models may be hard and require a lot of work and time, this model will only require a little time but give amazing results. You will only need a few materials and this project can be easily put together to explain to others how gravity works. This simulator demonstrates how gravity from an object in space can affect other objects and the space-time continuum.

 

Materials

- A sheet of lycra or spandex (it can be bought at any fabric or craft store; large squares of this material work best) http://www.joann.com/sew-classics-spandex-knits/xprd892872.html#q=lycra&start=1

- A few marbles

- One or more heavy round objects

- Clamps http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=49867266&KPID=19736361&cid=CAPLA:G:Shopping_-_Craftsman_-_New&pla=pla_19736361&k_clickid=60cef62e-f393-43f7-92d2-e24732c8afc0

- Tables or chairs

 

 

How to Make It

So first of all, to start off, secure the piece of lycra or spandex to a table with clamps. Make sure that the material does not sag and is tightly pulled. Once this is complete, you can place the heavy round object in the center of the sheet of spandex. The spandex should be pulled down by the heavy object. Next, you can simulate how gravity makes planets or other objects orbit around heavier objects.

 

 

How it Work

The piece of lycra or spandex represents the space-time continuum. When you place the heavy object on the sheet of fabric, it bends it. This shows how objects with a lot of mass, such as stars can bend space-time. This effect leads to the warping of light and time.

When you push the marble onto the fabric, it starts to rotate or orbit around the heavy round object, coming closer and closer to the object until it stops. The marbles should go around the object in the middle at least a few times. This shows how planets, stars, and asteroids orbit around objects with a lot of mass.

 

 

What does this apply to?

This allows us to understand why black holes pull objects inward. This also could explain how time travel could work due to the slowing of time. Scientist think that objects with immense mass, like black holes, could bend space-time so much that they connect two parts of the universe.

 

[Velocity_Boy]

Hmm..Not really a gravity simulator so much as it is a simple model depicting how the universal force of gravity would appear if it were visible. When you say simulator I think of something that you can use to experience a feeling of experience of a certain condition. Like, say, an anti gravity simulator, as in the vomit comet. Or a flight simulator.

 

Or am I being too picky here? My undergrad astronomy teacher used your method, btw, almost exactly. It was pretty cool.