Balancestäbe

Stations-ID: D021

Instructions:

Balance the rod vertically on one finger. What happens, when you turn the rod around?

• First, balance the rod with the wooden ball on it at the bottom, after a few attempts turn the rod around. Which way is it easier to keep the rod in balance?
• You and your partner take different rods each, who can keep his rod in balance longer? What happens when you swap rods?
• Place two rods vertically on the ground and let go at the same time. Which one falls over faster? Does it make a difference, which way around you place the rod?

Keeping rotating plates in balance is a normal thing in any circus show now. Once you have the hang of it, it’s easier than it looks, because the mass of the plate stabilizes the rod. Try it!