Physics: Balancing Act: Levers, See-Saws, and Center of Mass

Two children sit on a see-saw. One child sits close to the middle, and the other child sits far from the middle. If they weigh the same, which side will go down?

A pencil balances on your finger when your finger is under its middle. What is the middle balance point called?

Mia puts one toy block on the left side of a ruler and one same-size toy block the same distance from the middle on the right side. What will happen to the ruler?

A heavy book is on one side of a see-saw. A light stuffed animal is on the other side. If both are the same distance from the middle, which side will go down?

Sam wants to lift a heavy rock using a stick as a lever. Should he place the small support closer to the rock or farther from the rock to make lifting easier?

Draw or describe where you would put your finger to balance a spoon. Explain your answer.

A see-saw is perfectly balanced. Then one child slides closer to the middle without anyone else moving. What happens to that child's side?

Look at a ruler balancing on an eraser. A coin is 2 inches from the middle on the left. Another same coin is 4 inches from the middle on the right. Which side will tip down?

Why is it easier to balance with your arms stretched out like a tightrope walker?

A big dog and a small cat are on a see-saw. The dog is close to the middle. The cat is far from the middle. Tell one way they might make the see-saw balance.