Astronomy

The Curvature of the Universe Lab

Goal: To explore models of curved space

Materials and tools

• Heavy duty wire (e.g., coat hanger wire) that will hold its shape under slight tension.
• Several sheets of spandex or other stretch fabric.
• At least four small objects with weight ratios of 1, 2, 4, and 10.
• One or two small marbles or metal spheres (like shot for a slingshot).

Procedure

1. Use your wires or coat hangers to create three shapes:
   • A circle
   • A saddle
   • Any other odd shape you like.
2. Place your weights one at a time on the surface of each "spacetime continuum".
3. Note differences in how the shapes respond to weight distortion.
4. Role your small spheres on the surface without weights, then with weights. How does adding weight (planets) change the behavior of the test mass in the region of space?

Report

Summarize your results and speculate on how the shape of space could influence the spread of matter, as well as how the location of matter might influence the shape of space.

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