Purpose to determine the effect that the centre of gravity of an object has on motion.
Things Required:
2 yardsticks (meter sticks)
3 books, each at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick
Masking tape
2 funnels of equal size
Directions:
Put two books 30 inches (90 cm) apart on the floor. Place the remaining book on top of one of the other books. Position the yardsticks on top of the books to form a V shape with the open part of the latter on the double book stack. Tape the bowls of the funnels together. Place the joined funnels at the bottom of the track formed by the yardsticks.
This Is What Happens:
The funnels roll up the hill.
Science Behind It:
The funnels are not defying the laws of gravity. Actually, as the joined funnels move, their centre of gravity (the point where the weight appears to be located) moves downward. Notice that the centre of the joined funnels gets closer to the floor as it moves along the raised yardsticks.
