Students explore the concepts of center of mass and static equilibrium by seeing how non-symmetrical objects balance. Using a paper cut-out shape of a parrot sitting on a wire coat hanger, they learn that their parrot exists in stable equilibrium - it returns to its balancing point after being disturbed. The weight of its tail makes the parrot balance upright. Give the parrot a push, and she knocks off balance, but swings back and forth until coming to rest in balance again.

Concepts

center of mass, engineering, equilibrium, symmetry, stem

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Additional Tags

balance, stable equilibrium, static equilibrium, integrated teaching and learning program and laboratory, teachengineering

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Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 3 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)