Education Technology

Balancing the Plank

Subject Area
Science: Physical Science: Forces and Motion
Level
6-8
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX/CX II
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire™ Apps for iPad®
TI-Nspire Version
4.4

Balancing the Plank

Activity Overview

In this lesson, students will simulate a teeter-totter where people and objects of different masses are placed.

Objectives

  • Students will be able to balance different masses on a teeter-totter.
  • Students will solve equations for balancing different masses on a teeter-totter.

Vocabulary

  • fulcrum
  • torque
  • lever
  • mass

About the Lesson

In this lesson, students will simulate a teeter-totter where people and objects of different masses are placed at positions on either side to test for balance. This provides an opportunity for students to gather data and explore the conditions under which the teeter-totter is balanced.

As a result, students will:

  • Describe a lever and fulcrum.
  • Determine the positions for different mass arrangements to balance the teeter-totter.

Subject Area
Science: Physical Science: Forces and Motion
Level
6-8
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX/CX II
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire™ Apps for iPad®
TI-Nspire Version
4.4
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