Balancing Act Simulation

Name:
Ryan Kemerer

The Balancing Act Simulation can be accessed in the any of the following ways.

Download and run the Java file from Moodle

Follow the link to the PHET website that is posted in Moodle
Use this link http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/balance-and-torque/balancingact_en.jnlp

Part 1: Intro
1. Investigate Balancing Act using the Intro tab at the top by moving the fire extinguishers
and trash cans around and removing the supports to try to balance the seesaw. While you
play with this tool, make observations about when the beam balances and when it doesnt.
Use the tools on the side (mass labels, rulers, forces from objects and the level) to help you
make your observations.
2. Without using the simulation, drag the trashcan onto the beam and place it where you
think it would make the beam balance.

3. Explain you justification for placing the trash can where you did.

I would it on the 1 meter part of the ruler because it weighs twice as much as
the fire extinguisher, so it would be roughly half the distance.
4. Without using the simulation, drag the trashcan onto the beam and place it where you
think it would make the beam balance.

5. Explain you justification for placing the trash can where you did.

I would place it at the 1.5 meter part because the center of gravity would
balance it out.

Part 2: The Game

Click on the Game tab in the upper left. Try several scenarios at the different levels for a
minute or two each.
6. Explain what factors affect the balancing of the beam and describe how each factor
appears to affect the balancing.

Well the distance between the objects, their weight, and how far they are on
the ruler.
7. Now suppose you go to the park with a younger, smaller child. How would you use this
information so the two of you could use the seesaw even though you are not the same
size?

As an adult you could go in towards the seesaw to get the child up.

Part 3: The Balance Lab

8. Calculate where the 80 kg man would need to sit to balance the beam. Drag him and place
him in the correct position below.

9. Show you calculations for number 8.

20 x 9.8 x 2 = 80 x 9.8 x L
392 = 784L L = .5 m
10.Click on the Balance Lab tab on the upper left of the simulation and test your calculations.
You may need to use the yellow arrows in the brick box to scroll to the man and child.
Evaluate your calculations. (Howd you do?)

I predicted the position of the adult perfectly.

11.Predict where you would place the 20kg pile of bricks to balance the beam and drag it into
place?

20 kg

12. Show you calculations for number 11.

15 x 9.8 x 2 + 10 x 9.8 x 1 = 20 x 9.8 x L

294 + 98 = 196L
392 = 196L
L=2m
13. Now test your predictions and calculations using the Balance Lab tab. Evaluate your
calculations.

The results incline that my prediction was correct.

14.Using the Balancing Lab tab and scrolling to the mystery packages, determine the mass of
each mystery package.

Package

Mass
(kg)

20

15

10

2.5

52.5

35

7.5

15.Describe how you found the mass of package A in 14.

After I put it on the 2 marker for the ruler I guess using the 20 kg block at the
opposite end, which then balanced out making it have to be 20 kg