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Gravity Well (6ft Diameter)

Item #P4-1385

$229.00 Bundle Discount

Unit Price	$229.00
10+	$211.00

Hands-on model of gravity, orbits, and spacetime curvature

Bring the physics of space science down to Earth with this dramatic, hands-on Gravity Well—an Arbor Scientific exclusive. Using a flexible, 6 ft diameter, lycra “space-time” surface and rolling marbles, students can see how mass warps space and how that curvature guides motion, turning abstract gravity ideas into something they can observe and measure.

As students roll marbles past a central heavy ball, they watch paths bend into orbits, speed up near “massive bodies,” and change as distance changes. The bigger the mass, the deeper and wider the “well,” making it a powerful model for understanding why planets orbit stars and what gravitational attraction really means.

Why Teachers Love the Gravity Well

Saves hours vs. DIY versions: Teachers often try to build a gravity well themselves, but getting the surface tension and frame right is tough. This is a sturdy, proven setup that works beautifully every time.
Makes gravity visible and unforgettable: Students immediately grasp gravity as curvature/attraction instead of a purely mathematical idea.
High-engagement whole-class demo or lab: Large (6 ft across), walk-around setup gets every student involved and sparks great discussion.
Easy to store, quick to set up: Collapsible frame and fabric pack away neatly after use.

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What You Can Teach with the Gravity Well

Ideal for middle school through AP/college-intro space science and physics, including:

Gravity & gravitational fields: Mass dependence and field “strength” as depth/shape of the well.
Orbital motion: Stable orbits, decaying orbits, and how trajectories curve near massive bodies.
Orbital period vs. distance: Farther “planets” orbit more slowly; closer ones orbit faster.
Formation of orbital systems / accretion: Marble interactions model how systems form and evolve over time.
Intro to General Relativity (conceptual): Gravity as space-time curvature and why paths bend.

Set-Up is Easy

Build the top ring: Connect the four long black tubes with the bolts and ball knobs to form a large circle. Tighten all bolts securely. (Two people make this easier.)
Assemble the base: Insert the four shorter black tubes into the 4-way junction so the elbows face upward, forming a stable floor base.
Join base to ring: Use the four white tubes to connect the base to the circular top frame. Check that all joints are fully seated and undamaged before continuing.
Stretch the lycra evenly: Lay the lycra sheet over the ring and clip it down in opposite pairs, working your way around the circle to keep tension even. After the first 8 clips, add the remaining clips spaced evenly, then make small adjustments until the surface is smooth and level.
Add the “star” and begin: Place the heavy ball in the center to create the main well, then roll marbles across the surface to explore orbits and trajectories. Do not exceed 2 kg on the fabric.

Products being sold are not toys. They are for Educational / Laboratory use only. They are not for use by children 12 and under.

Specs:

Diameter: 170 cm

Height: 80 cm

Heavy Ball Diameter: 7.6 cm

Heavy Ball Mass: 715 g

What's Included:

4 Long Black Tubes with T connectors

4 Short Black Tubes with elbow connectors

4-Way Connector (Junction)

4 White Tubes

Bolts

Ball Knobs

Lycra Sheet

Clamps for Lycra Sheet

Marbles

Heavy ball

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a gravity well?

A gravity well is a model used to visualize how massive objects bend space and create gravitational attraction. In the classroom version, a stretched fabric represents space, and a heavy object creates a “well” that shows how gravity affects motion.

What does the Gravity Well demonstrate?

The Gravity Well demonstrates key space science and physics concepts, including:

Gravitational fields and mass dependence
Orbital motion and trajectories
How gravity curves space-time
Why objects speed up near massive bodies

It turns abstract gravitational concepts into visible, hands-on learning.

How does the Gravity Well work?

The Gravity Well works by:

Stretching a flexible lycra surface across a circular frame
Placing a heavy ball in the center to represent a massive object (like a star)
Rolling marbles across the surface to simulate planets or objects

As the surface curves, marbles follow curved paths—mimicking real orbital motion.

What size is the Arbor Scientific Gravity Well?

The standard Gravity Well is approximately 6 feet (180 cm) in diameter and about 80 cm tall when assembled, making it large enough for whole-class demonstrations.

What concepts can students learn with a Gravity Well?

Students can explore:

Circular and elliptical orbits
Orbital speed vs. distance
Kepler’s laws (conceptually)
System formation and accretion
Gravitational interactions and collisions

It also introduces ideas related to general relativity, such as space-time curvature.

What grade levels is the Gravity Well best for?

The Gravity Well is ideal for:

Middle school space science
High school physics and astronomy
Introductory college physics

It supports both conceptual learning and inquiry-based labs.

What experiments can you do with a Gravity Well?

Common classroom activities include:

Modeling planetary orbits
Comparing orbital periods at different distances
Demonstrating collisions and system formation
Exploring escape velocity and orbital decay
Simulating tidal forces and Roche limits

These experiments help connect theory to real-world physics.

Why do objects orbit in a Gravity Well model?

Objects orbit because the curved surface guides their motion inward while their forward motion keeps them moving around the center. This models how gravity pulls objects toward massive bodies while inertia keeps them in orbit.

What affects the behavior of marbles in a Gravity Well?

Key factors include: