Gravitational Waves Demo
Strobe Lamps
Drill and 2 Orbiting Masses
2 Orbiting Masses Unit

 

Code Number: 8C20.55

Demo Title: Gravitational Waves - Spiraling Black Holes

Procedure:

Place the strobe lites 6 to 8 feet in front of the large round Spandex sheet and set them to a frequency or approximately 66 Hz.  Lightly press the drill with the 2 rotating masses into the sheet and run the drill at a speed that shows slowly spiraling waves in the Spandex sheet.  

References:

  • James Overduin, Jonathan Perry, Rachael Huxford, and Jim Selway, "Classroom Simulation of Gravitational Waves from Orbiting Binaries", TPT, Vol. 56, #9, Dec. 2018, p. 586.
  • Alexsandro Jesus Ferreira de Oliveira, Eduardo de Campos Valadares, "Planet and Galaxies on Soap Film", TPT, Vol. 44, #6, Sept. 2006, p. 392.
  • Peter H. Ceperley, "Rotating Waves", AJP, Vol. 60, #10, Oct. 1992, p. 938.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "8.6 - Rotating Waves", Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 127.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "Notes - Chapter 8", Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 145.
  • Hui Li, "Hidden Engines of the Cosmos", 1663 - Los Alamos Science and Technology Magazine, August 2021, p. 4.
  • Caroline Delbert, "What Happens When Two Black Holes Collide?", Popular Mechanics, November / December 2021, p. 36.

Video Credit: Daniel Reinart.

8C20.55 - Gravitational Waves Demo
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