Another balance with two forks a toothpick and fire

To make our experiment we need a pair of forks, a toothpick, a glass and a match.

First, we have to intertwine the forks with the toothpick and leave them in balance at the edge of the glass. The balance is obtained because the centre of the gravity is under the support point.

What would happen if we burnt the edge of the toothpick that is inside the glass?

A part of the toothpick is burnt, but the flame is put out when it’s at the edge of the glass and the balance of the forks is kept.

The loss of volume of the toothpick that is burnt, doesn’t affect to the centre of the gravity

by Teresa and Ángela

Another balance with two forks a toothpick and fire

To make the experiment we need two forks, a toothpick, a glass and a few matches.

We entwine both forks with the toothpick and leave the set in balance in the edge of a glass. The balance is achieved when the gravity center of the set is below the point of support.

What does happen if we burn the end of the toothpick that is inside the glass?

A part of the toothpick burns but the flame goes out when coming at the edge of the glass and the balance of the forks is kept. The loss of mass of the toothpick that has burnt not affect significantly the gravity center that continues below the point of support.

By Inma and Pía