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INDEX B1: STATICS

B1.01 IRREGULAR SHAPE (Center of Gravity)

An irregular shape is suspended from various points on its surface. The intersection of the plumb lines from each point is the center of gravity.

B1.02 STRING BREAKER (Inertia)

A mass is suspended by a string with a similar string below. A quick jerk on the lower string will break the lower string, while a slow, steady pull will break the upper string.

B1.04 LEANING TOWER (Center of Gravity)

A wooden model of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is stable despite its tilt. When an additional piece is added to the top, the tower topples. In the alternate version, the top piece of the tower is asymmetrically weighted. With the top piece in one orientation, the tower is stable, but when the top is rotated 180 degrees, the tower tips over.

B1.05 GREEN WING (Center of Gravity)

Green Wing's center of gravity is outside its body. It can be supported from the center of gravity.

B1.06 TENSION IN A STRING (Moment Arm)

A rod is pivoted at one end. When it is horizontal, the tension in a string holding the free end is half the weight of the rod.

B1.08 CENTER OF MASS VIDEOTAPE

The Off-Loaded Box demonstration on videotape. Slow- motion playback permits tracing the flight path on the monitor screen.

B1.09 TWO BODY SYSTEM

A large wooden ball and a small steel ball are connected by a metal rod. When the rod is rotated about its geometrical center, the system is unbalanced and friction soon stops the rotation. When the rod is rotated about its center of mass, the system is balanced and rotates freely. Can be compared to a binary star system with a large primary and a smaller companion.

B1.10 THREE BODY SYSTEM

System consists of two circular metal disks of uneven size on an aluminium strip and a rectangular metal disk on another strip. The circular disks are positioned so that the strip is balanced in a horizontal position. The strip with the circular disks is positioned on the other strip so that the whole system is balanced. Each of the components can then be rotated about its center of mass, thereby greatly changing the configuration without changing the balance of the system. The system can also be used to extend the Irregular Shape demonstration (B1.01) to three dimensions.

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