Science experiments for children – Balancing nails. When searching for the equilibrium positions of an object of any shape, supported or bound to a point, we need to find its center of gravity, which is the point at which it can be considered concentrated all its weight force. The barycentre, also called the center of gravity, presupposes the action of the force of gravity.
The center of gravity position of a body depends on its geometric shape and the distribution of its mass. In a sphere, for example, the center of gravity coincides with the center of the sphere.
The barycentre of a body can be determined through geometric methods, if the body possesses symmetry elements, or experimentally, by finding the positions of equilibrium of the body, if this is bound to a fixed point (suspended) or a surface (resting).
Balance of the bodies supported
A heavy body supported is a body bound to a surface. It is subject to the force of gravity and the force constrain, directed upwards, given by the support base. If the support is at a point, the equilibrium is achieved when the center of gravity of the body is on the vertical of the point of support.
When, by moving the object from its initial position, the center of gravity moves upwards the balance is stable: the body tends to return to the initial position.
When the center of gravity shifts down the equilibrium is unstable: the body moves away from the initial position. Finally, when the center of gravity of the body remains at the same level the balance is indifferent.
Prepare a base for the game, with a nail largest stuck to the center, and ten smaller nails all the same size. Then you have the nails in this way:
and place them on a largest nail:
Science experiments for children – Balancing nails
The experiment is described in detail with photographs, a video and pdf here: http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/
Science experiments for children – Balancing nails
Other links
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/balancing-nail-puzzle
http://weirdsciencekids.com/balancingnails.html
http://www.howtoresolved.com/public/index.php/tube/9xtXg_6C8QE/balancing-nails-sick-science-118
http://bar-tricks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/balance-10-nails-top-one-single-nail-370071/
Science experiments for children – Balancing nails. When searching for the equilibrium positions of an object of any shape, supported or bound to a point, we need to find its center of gravity, which is the point at which it can be considered concentrated all its weight force. The barycentre, also called the center of gravity, presupposes the action of the force of gravity.
The center of gravity position of a body depends on its geometric shape and the distribution of its mass. In a sphere, for example, the center of gravity coincides with the center of the sphere.
The barycentre of a body can be determined through geometric methods, if the body possesses symmetry elements, or experimentally, by finding the positions of equilibrium of the body, if this is bound to a fixed point (suspended) or a surface (resting).
Balance of the bodies supported
A heavy body supported is a body bound to a surface. It is subject to the force of gravity and the force constrain, directed upwards, given by the support base. If the support is at a point, the equilibrium is achieved when the center of gravity of the body is on the vertical of the point of support.
When, by moving the object from its initial position, the center of gravity moves upwards the balance is stable: the body tends to return to the initial position.
When the center of gravity shifts down the equilibrium is unstable: the body moves away from the initial position. Finally, when the center of gravity of the body remains at the same level the balance is indifferent.
Prepare a base for the game, with a nail largest stuck to the center, and ten smaller nails all the same size. Then you have the nails in this way:
and place them on a largest nail:
Science experiments for children – Balancing nails
The experiment is described in detail with photographs, a video and pdf here: http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/
Science experiments for children – Balancing nails
Other links
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/balancing-nail-puzzle
http://weirdsciencekids.com/balancingnails.html
http://www.howtoresolved.com/public/index.php/tube/9xtXg_6C8QE/balancing-nails-sick-science-118
http://bar-tricks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/balance-10-nails-top-one-single-nail-370071/
