Rotating Black Hole

Photos show the demonstration used at the University of Texas at Austin.

Concepts Conveyed:

• This demo is a visual way to convey how massive objects have a large gravitational force in Newtonian mechanics, and drag and warp spacetime, which is represented by a fluid, according to Einstein's theory of relativity.
• The vortex demonstrates a rotating black hole and the styrofoam balls act as celestial objects that follow the flow lines or the rotation of the black hole.

Instructions / Notes:

• Please keep the magnets separate from other magnets and magnetic metals so that the magnets do not clash and break.
• Press the on button on the cart when ready to use.
• Takes a few seconds for the vortex to form and the motor might need a push.
• Styrofoam balls can be used to demonstrate orbiting celestial objects.

Demo Staff:

• The power adapter should always be set to 3 volts.

Set Up for One Black Hole:

• Lay the empty cylindrical tank centered on one platform.
• Lay the rod magnet inside of the tank above the magnets on the motor.
• Fill the tank up to the fill line.
• When ready to use, plug in the power adapter into the cart and turn the switch on. The motor will start rotating as soon as the power adapter is on.

Set up for Two Black Holes:

• Lay the empty rectangular tank on two platforms and use two magnets. Fill the tank and repeat the same steps as the cylindrical tank.
• Optional: Add Styrofoam balls to the tanks to act as stars or planets

Last updated on July 25, 2024