At 52-feet tall, the Great Gravity Clock is the biggest kinetic energy sculpture in Florida. Located in the Museum's Grand Atrium, this unique timepiece is one of only three in the world! The other two are in Mexico and Japan.
How does it work?
Observe the three slightly tilted rails just below the face of the clock. These are the Minute rail, the Ten-minute rail, and the Hour rail. A ball rolls onto a rail with the passing of every minute, every ten minutes, and every hour. Because each ball represents an increment of time, the Great Gravity Clock is a digital clock. Each minute, a ball moves around the face of the clock and is released onto the digital rails. Gravity takes over causing the balls to travel the rails.
Can you tell the time by counting the balls?
It's easy! If 8 balls are on the bottom Hour rail, 5 balls are on the middle Ten-minute rail, and 4 balls are on the top Minute rail, what time is it? If you answered 8:54, you're correct!
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises, Inc.,/Jim and Jan Moran.
