Principal Sponsors
Makes grants to address the most serious social and environmental problems facing society, where risk capital, responsibly invested, may make a difference over time.
National Science Foundation
An independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science.
King Saud University seeks to become a leader in educational and technological innovation, scientific discovery and creativity through fostering an atmosphere of intellectual inspiration and partnership for the prosperity of society.
The O'Donnell Foundation is devoted to building model programs to enhance the quality of education.
Balancing Act
Play with objects on a teeter totter to learn about balance. Test what you've learned by trying the Balance Challenge game.
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Teaching Resources
Main Topics
- Balance
- Rotational Equilibrium
- Lever Arm
- Torque
- Proportional Reasoning
Sample Learning Goals
- Predict how objects of various masses can be used to make a plank balance.
- Predict how changing the positions of the masses on the plank will affect the motion of the plank.
- Write rules to predict which way a plank will tilt when objects are placed on it.
- Use your rules to solve puzzles about balancing.
Tips for Teachers
The teacher's guide (pdf) contains tips created by the PhET team.
Teaching Ideas
| Title | Authors | Level | Type | Updated |
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Balancing Act Homework Activity 1 and 2
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kimberly skinner | HS | HW | 8/11/12 |
Balancing Act Inquiry
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Ariel Paul | MS | Lab | 11/15/11 |
| Balancing Act PhET Lab | Chris Bires | HS MS |
Lab | 1/19/12 |
You can submit your own ideas and activities.
Related Simulations
Translated Versions:
Software Requirements
| Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
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Microsoft Windows
XP/Vista/7 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later |
OS 10.5 or later
Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later |
Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later |
Credits
| Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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