Balanced Torque Stick
For use in physics to illustrate the idea of balanced torque and the perpendicular radius or the perpendicular distance from the line of action to the pivot point. The 45 degree off-shoot portion has holes that are lined up vertically with the spacing holes on the horizontal bar. This was inspired by a demo shown by Jim Hicks, a retired physics teacher from Barrington High School.
Onshape model is available here:
Current teaching / lab ideas may include:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ub0UVCaLRgt1xVjspD87uIwsqyMGapyLLS-lOmKeeoU/edit?tab=t.0
- Find the center of mass for the stick.
- Hang the stick from the center.
- Hang 20 g 1 hole to the right.
- Where would / could you hang a 40 g mass?
- Where would / could you hang a 60 g mass?
- Torque = =rF How can you use this to illustrate the idea of perpendicular radius.