Task
You will need a see-saw in the playground, or material to make a model see-saw in the classroom such as flat piece of wood and a triangular base to put it on. (Weighing scales – optional.)
Use the see-saw to test how balance works.
- Can a heavy person or object balance two much lighter ones?
- Can a heavy person or object balance a much lighter one if you move it towards the balance point at the centre.
- Do the objects look visually balanced or unbalanced in your opinion?
- Is it more interesting to look at when it is symmetrical or asymmetrical?
- If you have weighing scales, you could add up the weights of the people or objects to see how they compare.
- When the weights are in the same positions on either side, the balance is a bit like the equals sign in maths. (For example a 5g weight and 3g weight = an 8g weight.)