Balancing Soda Bottle Kit This bottle appears to defy gravity, balancing precariously email to friend
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It's the balancing bottle trick using a 2-liter soda bottle. The hole in the acrylic board is just large enough to fit the neck of a 2-liter soda bottle. Slip the bottle through the hole and try your hand at balancing the bottle on the bottom edge of the board. It looks and feels impossible until you finally let go! The bottle appears to defy gravity as it balances in a most precarious position. Don't let the sounds of "ooohs & ahhhs" drown out your lesson on the center of gravity.

What's included?

• Precision cut, acrylic balancing board
• Empty 2-liter soda bottle
• Science display box
• Activity guide with great extension ideas

This is a licensed kit from Flinn Scientific.

How does it work?

It's truly a lesson in the center of gravity. When the center of gravity of the entire set-up is directly above the base of the board, the “system” (the board and soda bottle) will balance itself. When the center of gravity is not directly above the foot of the base, the system is unstable and falls over.

What does it teach?

It's easy to experiment with the center of gravity using a 2-liter bottle filled with water. The center of gravity can be changed by adding or removing the liquid in the bottle. When the right amount of water is in the bottle and distributed properly, you get a perfect balance of the board and bottle.