Mass
Forces and Motion
Wobbler
Enrichment Activity for 5-11 11-14
- Level Elementary
What you need
- Bouncy ball or ball of Plasticine
- Piece of paper
- Sticky tape
- Scissors
Instructions
- Cut the bouncy ball in half
- Roll the paper into a column around the top of the ball and hold it in place with sticky tape
- If you flick the column of paper, it will fall over. Cut off bits of paper until when you flick it, it rights itself again
Results and Explanation
The wobbler is self-righting because its centre of mass is very low. As the wobbler leans over, its centre of mass rises but gravity pulls the wobbler back upright before it can topple over.
