Physics balancing project! (regarding the center of gravity)?

Question

Okay, the project is in physics...It's about the center of gravity...
I'll take care of this one...

Anyways, i need to have an idea about a "balancing" project...
A project that requires balance among all objects...
(eg: balancing balls,sticks *how is this possible anyway?*)
Any ideas?Any sites to refer? How to make one?

Answer 1

airplanes use the CG every time it gets on the runway. Maybe something along those lines. THere are a lot of info on it if you do google on it.

Answer 2

Remember the old trick of balancing two forks on the edge of a water glass with a toothpick? If not here's how you do it: 1. Get two dinner forks preferably the same size and style. 2. Get 2 or 3 toothpicks of the round type 2 to 2 and 1/2 inches long. Weave the forks together in a lattice with the toothpick in the center of the lattice with the toothpick sticking out about 1 inch TOWARD the handles of the forks. 3. Fill a 12 to 20 ounce glass with water about 3/4 full. 4. Place the tip of the toothpick on the edge of the glass with the handles of the forks going around the body of the glass. 5. It will take a little bit of practice but you will balance the forks on the edge of the glass because the CENTER OF GRAVITY is at the tip of the toothpick. Hope this helps. Thanks for the 2 points.

Answer 3

balance is all about equal leverage ot torque... (weight x distance)

The sum of all the "mass x distance" on both sides of the fumcrum must be equal.

For instance if you have a weight of 1 lb at a distance of 1 foot on one side then on the other side you need 2lbs at 0.5 feet to balance out, or 0.25lbs at 4 feet. 1lb x 1' = 2lb x 0.5' = .25lb x 4' = 1 lb-ft

Of course you will also have to add or subtract a little for the weight of the lever rod. Assuming the rod is 1oz per foot then the 1 foot rod exerts a force of 1oz centered at a distance of at 0.5 feet (.5oz-ft), the 2 foot rod is 2 oz cenered at 1 foot(2oz-ft), and the 4 foot rod is 4oz centered at 2feet away (8oz-ft).

The nice thing is that if you use a long rod so that the rod sticks out evenly on both sides of the fulcrum, and balances on it's own, then you can ignore the weight of the rod and just slide the weights out , then as a bonus you can offset the rod to one side and add then weights to the short end to re-balance the rod.

Go to Home Depot and get a piece of square aluminum tube to use as the lever rod. Be sure to weigh the rod so that you can determine the weight per foot of the tubing. Then get a bunch of large 1/2" 3/4" and 1" nuts and bolts as weights to put on top of the rod for balancing. If you weigh a 1/2" nut or bolt, and determine that weighs X ounces, then you can determine the weights of the other pieces just by using ratios of weight and distance. You can even offset the balance rod and add that into the equation also.

Answer 4

You can make it simple. Set up a fulcrum, like a first class lever. Maybe tape a couple of spoon handles together and balance them. And if you are brave, put an egg in each spoon. (you would want hard boiled eggs!).