House of Nails

Introduction:

This is a simple demonstration can be used to demonstrate both center of mass and torque. This demonstration is a good way to show how torque functions on structures and how center of mass is involved in engineering.

Materials:

For this experiment you will need:

*10 nails

*A wooden block

*A hammer

Procedure:

1. Hammer a nail into 2.Place one nail flat then 3. Sandwich a nail on 4.Place the sandwiched nails on top

a wooden block 4 nails on one side 3 on the other. top of the other nail. of the hammered nail from earlier and

you should be able to find the center of mass.

How does it work?

You see when you place nails on either side of the bottom nail they're canceling out either sides masses so the only thing that needs to be balanced in the bottom nail. Now the reason one side can have 3 nails and the other can have 4 is the concept called torque. Sine the 3 nails point farther away from the pole there torque is increasing making up for the missing nail.

This project uses standard/no safety procedures, however take caution of the nails as they may be sharp.