Ring and Ball
Product Code : SCL-CL-11886
Ring and Ball (SKU SCL-CL-11886), also called the ball and ring apparatus, is a metal demonstration piece for the thermal expansion of solids. At room temperature the ball passes through the ring; after heating it no longer fits, and after cooling in water it passes again. It suits middle and secondary school science. For schools, colleges, tender contractors and distributors, quotations come from Science Lab Supplies in Ambala, India.
Specifications
The ring and ball's specifications are itemised in the table below, one fact per row. In short, a metal ball and a matching metal ring each carry a handle for safe handling; heating moves the metal's particles farther apart and enlarges the ball, while cooling in water returns it close to its original size.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | SCL-CL-11886 |
| Material | Metal |
| Parts | Metal ball and matching ring |
| Handles | Ball and ring both fitted with handles |
| On heating | Ball expands and can no longer pass through the ring |
| Cause of expansion | Particles of the metal move farther apart, increasing the ball's volume |
| On cooling in water | Ball contracts close to its original size and passes through again |
| Demonstrates | Thermal expansion and contraction of solids |
| Supplied by | Science Lab Supplies, Ambala, India |
Applications and Experiments for the Ring and Ball Apparatus
The ring and ball apparatus shows in seconds that solids expand when heated and contract when cooled, and it opens discussion of expansion gaps in rails, bridges and pipelines. It suits the heat chapters of CBSE/NCERT Class 7 and Class 8 science, Class 11 physics (thermal properties of matter) and introductory teacher-training labs.
- Class 7 science (Heat): showing that a heated metal ball no longer passes through the ring.
- Class 11 physics: introducing linear and volume expansion of solids.
- Showing contraction by cooling the heated ball in water held in one of the borosilicate Beakers until it passes through again.
- Measuring the temperature of that cooling water with one of the graduated glass Laboratory Thermometers.
- Discussing everyday examples such as expansion joints and tight-fitting metal lids.
Heat only the ball over a burner flame, holding it by its handle, and keep students at a safe distance. The ball stays hot for some time after the lesson, so the demonstration should be run and supervised by the teacher.
Standard Scope of Supply
The apparatus comes as the metal ball and the matching metal ring, both with handles. A burner, a stand and a container of water for cooling can be added to the same quotation, so everything for the demonstration arrives together in one consignment.
Packing, MOQ and Lead Time
The quotation can be for one demonstration set or for enough sets to run the experiment in student groups. It sets out the packing, delivery time and price for the quantity chosen, and burners or thermometers from the same range can be added on request.
Science Lab Supplies holds an Importer-Exporter Code, which means it can ship to buyers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the Philippines, Nepal and Bangladesh. Questions about the set can go to the contact page; to price it with a burner and tongs, place all three in the enquiry cart, and see the lab tender page for tendered purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ring and Ball experiment work?
At room temperature the ball passes through the ring. Heating the ball makes it expand so it will not pass; cooling it in water makes it contract so it passes again.
Is the ring and ball safe for students to use?
The ball becomes very hot during heating, so the experiment should be carried out or closely supervised by a teacher, holding the parts only by their handles.
Who supplies the Ring and Ball apparatus?
Science Lab Supplies, working from Ambala, India, prepares quotations for this apparatus for schools, colleges and tender contractors, and can list burners, tongs and thermometers beside it for a complete heat lesson.
What else is needed for the demonstration?
A burner flame for heating and a container of water for cooling. Both can be listed on the same enquiry as the apparatus, together with tongs for handling the hot ball.
Related Heat and Thermal Expansion Equipment
Running the ring and ball experiment needs a heat source and safe handling, and the topic continues with expansion of rods and liquids and with heat conduction. These Chemistry Lab, Heat, Properties of Matter and Physics Lab items cover each step and can share one quotation.
- Laboratory Spirit Burner — 100 ml metal-housed burner with a cotton wick and snuffer cap; flame size is set by the wick.
- Bunsen Burner (Pack of Two) — two gas burners with die-cast zinc alloy bases and nickel-plated brass tubes.
- Crucible Tongs — metal scissor-type tongs with a 4 cm jaw opening for moving hot containers.
- Thermometer (with no Mercury) — slim glass-stem thermometer reading -10 to 120°C.
- Linear Expansion Apparatus — metal rod in a steam chamber with an indicator that registers its expansion.
- Expansion of Liquid Apparatus — five graduated capillary tubes with bulbs, set in a metal hot-water trough.
- Apparatus for Changing the Thermal Conductivity — three rods of different metals with a movable ring and alcohol thermometers.
Browse the full Chemistry Lab range, the Heat range, or all school lab equipment.
Last updated: 9 October 2026
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