Balancing Act Simulation

Name:
Keaton Beckes

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.

It has twice the mass, so it should be placed half of the distance that the fire
extinguisher is.
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.

Halfway between the two fire extinguishers.

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.

Gravity, mass, and position on the balance. Gravity pulls the objects on the
balance down. Mass determines the amount of force. And the postion
determine how equally the force is balanced.

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 could move further in on the see saw so that you would balance.

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.

T1 = T2

(20)(9.8)(1.75) = (80)(9.8)L

343 = 784 L

L=.

04375 meters
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 was correct

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)(9.8)(2.0) + (10)(9.8)(1) = (20)(9.8)L

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

My calculations were 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

60

22.5

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

I placed a 20 kg block at the same postion on the balance (2 meters) and it

balanced.

7.5