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Grade: all
Subject: Science

#204. Tennis Balls Have It

Science, level: all
Posted by Margaret Smith ().
Treadwell HIgh School 920 N. Highland, Memphis, TN 38122 USA
Materials Required: pieces of wood of different lengths, 2 tennis balls, 1 hangar, wire cutters
Activity Time: 55 minutes
Concepts Taught: Center of gravity

PROCEDURE:
1. WORK WITH STUDENTS HELPING THEM TO FIND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF THE VARIOUS WOOD PIECES. THEY DO THIS BY TRYING TO BALANCE THE WOOD ON THEIR FINGER OR HAND.
2. DISCUSS WHY THE OBJECTS BALANCE AT DIFFERENT POINTS DEPENDING UPON HOW THEY ARE ARE MADE.
3. CONSTRUCT AN APPARATUS USING THE 2 TENNIS BALLS AND THE HANGAR. DO THIS BY BENDING THE HANGAR INTO AN EXAGGERATED "W" AND PUSING ONE TENNIS BALL ONTO EACH END OF THE HANGAR.
4. TEST THE SYSTEM BY TRYING TO BALANCE IT ON YOUR HEAD. IF IT DOES NOT BALANCE, BEND IT AND TEST IT UNTIL IT WILL BALANCE ON YOUR HEAD.

STUDENTS ENJOY HAVING A PATH TO WALK ON TO TEST THE RESULTS AND TO SEE HOW FAR THEY CAN GO WITHOUT IT FALLING OFF.