Centre of mass

  • Wobbler
    problem
    Favourite

    Wobbler

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    A cone is glued to a hemisphere. When you place it on a table in what position does it come to rest?
  • Well balanced
    problem

    Well Balanced

    Age
    5 to 18
    Challenge level
    Exploring balance and centres of mass can be great fun. The resulting structures can seem impossible. Here are some images to encourage you to experiment with non-breakable objects of your own.
  • Overarch 2
    problem

    Overarch 2

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    Bricks are 20cm long and 10cm high. How high could an arch be built without mortar on a flat horizontal surface, to overhang by 1 metre? How big an overhang is it possible to make like this?
  • Uniformly unstable
    problem

    Uniformly Unstable

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level

    Invent shapes with different numbers of stable and unstable equilibrium points

  • Pole vaulting
    problem

    Pole Vaulting

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level

    Consider the mechanics of pole vaulting

  • High Jumping
    article

    High Jumping

    How high can a high jumper jump? How can a high jumper jump higher without jumping higher? Read on...

Displaying 1 - 7 of 7