The Balancing Act Simulation can be accessed in the any of the following ways.
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 trash can 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.
it would be level at this area because the can is 10 and its sitting on 1 meter so you just double the distance
4. Without using the simulation, drag the trash can onto the beam and place it where you think it would make the
beam balance.
5. Explain your justification for placing the trash can where you did.
it would go there to keep the balance between the two weights of 5 kilos
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.
the factors that affect the beam ae the weight of the people using it and how they are placed on the beam
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?
you would want to be closer to the center and keep the child further back
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.
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?)
13. Now test your predictions and calculations using the Balance Lab tab. Evaluate your calculations.
we had gotten it right
14. Using the Balancing Lab tab and scrolling to the mystery packages, determine the mass of each mystery package.
Package
Mass (kg) 20 5 15 10