Photos and presentation created by Candace Pauchnick Engineering: A Quest for Balance Photos and presentation created by Candace Pauchnick July 10, 2011

For this teacher demonstration these are the items needed: 1. A standard drinking glass. It should be glass with a smooth, rounded rim. 2. A metal fork and spoon. 3. A round toothpick. A flat toothpick can be used but the demonstration is much more affective with a round one. 4. Matches

Make sure the spoon fits tightly into the fork.

It is not important now to think about the exact placement of the toothpick yet.

Adjust the toothpick and the fork until there is a balance. It takes a few minutes to achieve this.

Different views of the fork and spoon balancing with the toothpick. The measurement of where the toothpick balances on the glass will change depending on the weight of the fork and spoon.

As the toothpick is lighted it is important to not bump the fork or spoon.

After the toothpick is burned, very gently take off the burnt ash if it doesn’t fall off naturally.

The Big Question!

Think about it a little longer before the answer is given. Have you figured it out yet? Think about it a little longer before the answer is given.

Here are some hints.

Simple concept, isn’t it!!! The red line divides the objects into equally weighted sections. The fork tines and the bowl of the spoon weigh the same as the handles of the fork and spoon. Their weights are balanced and that is why the utensils don’t fall. Simple concept, isn’t it!!!

Was this interesting to you? Engineering projects often involve the concept of balance in designs and functions. Engineering projects do involve many more concepts and can be a lot of fun to create.

A little extra note: The toothpick can be burned at the other end proving it won’t fall if both ends are burned short. This doesn’t change the weight enough, on one side, to make the utensils fall.