Build Your Own Mobile
Student teams creatively construct mobiles using hangers and assorted materials and objects while exploring the principles of balance and center of mass. They build complex, free-hanging structures by balancing pieces with different lengths, weights, shapes and sizes.
Students build their own hanging mobilesCopyright 2010 Denise W. Carlson. Used with permission.
Exploring the principles of balance and center of mass can be an interesting endeavor. Finding the center of mass is a key factor in many engineering designs. For example, engineers design cars, bicycles, washing machines, CD players and all kinds of vehicles, as well as tools and other devices to make sure that while in motion the objects behave as intended. Achieving balance and equilibrium also applies to the design of structures such as bridges and skyscrapers.
After this activity, students should be able to apply their understanding of center of mass and balance to build complex, free-hanging structures by balancing pieces with different weights at different points on hangers.