Balancing Act Simulation Name Eric Mackie

Introductory Conceptual Physics

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/balancing-act_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 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 balanced out since the 5kg is further out and then if you put the 10kg closer it will balance out since its
closer to the base.
 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 evens out if the 10kg is in the middle on the other side where the other too 5 kg are.

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.

force leverage and weight affect how objects balance out.

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?
the smaller kid sit on the end and the bigger kid go up the seesaw some so the weight evens out.
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.

he would sit at 0.5 because his weight balances out

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 did good i got it to balance.

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

12. Show you calculations for number 11.

its at 0.75

13. Now test your predictions and calculations using the Balance Lab tab. Evaluate your calculations.
the prediction did good. and my calculations were good also.

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

Package

Mass (kg) 12 20 15 10

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

from the games