Black Holes: No Escape

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This fun and simple hands-on astronomy activity lets learners experiment with marbles and weights to discover some basics about gravity and black holes. A key message of the activity is that space is curved completely around black holes—we cannot escape. Participants will explore the relationship between mass, distance, and gravitational attraction. The PDF contains step-by-step instructions, photos, presentation tips, and links to background information.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - adult
Resource Types:
Activity, Model, Simulation
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 2 buckets (13”/33 cm plastic planters), from a garden store
  • 2.5 lb (1 kg) lead weight, from a fishing or sporting goods store
  • 8 oz (225 g) lead weight
  • 4 oz (100 g) lead weight
  • 2 pee-wee marbles
  • 2 shooter (1"/2.5 cm) marbles
  • a few regular marbles
  • 2 bungee cords
  • 2 18" (45 cm) squares stretch fabric
  • 4' (1.5 m) of string
  • fishing bobber (sports store)
  • large towel or blanket

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Astronomy
      • Stars and Galaxies
  • Mathematics
    • Measurement
      • Size and Scale
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Gravity
      • Newton's Laws
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Mass and Weight
      • Volume and Density

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

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Access Rights:

  • Free access

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