Play with objects on a teeter totter to lea about balance. Test
what you've leaed by trying the Balance Challenge game.
Leaing Goals
Predict how objects of various masses can be used to make a plank balance.
Predict how changing the positions of the masses on the plank will affect the motion of the plank.
Write rules to predict which way a plank will tilt when objects are placed on it.
Use your rules to solve puzzles about balancing.
Design Team: Kathy Perkins (co-lead), John Blanco (co-lead, developer), Michael Dubson, Trish Loeblein, Ariel Paul.
Authors of Teaching Ideas: kimberly skinner, Ariel Paul, Chris Bires.
Software Requirements
Windows: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7, Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later.
Macintosh: OS 10.5 or later, Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later.
Linux: Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later.
Note: The teacher's guide (pdf) contains tips created by the PhET team.
Leaing Goals
Predict how objects of various masses can be used to make a plank balance.
Predict how changing the positions of the masses on the plank will affect the motion of the plank.
Write rules to predict which way a plank will tilt when objects are placed on it.
Use your rules to solve puzzles about balancing.
Design Team: Kathy Perkins (co-lead), John Blanco (co-lead, developer), Michael Dubson, Trish Loeblein, Ariel Paul.
Authors of Teaching Ideas: kimberly skinner, Ariel Paul, Chris Bires.
Software Requirements
Windows: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7, Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later.
Macintosh: OS 10.5 or later, Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later.
Linux: Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later.
Note: The teacher's guide (pdf) contains tips created by the PhET team.