We pulled out an old record, dusted off our turntable, and started listening to our album of old chemistry jokes. We were quite amused by two bugs taking a ride on the rotating album and before you know it, we were writing this simulation. Well actually ... it didn't come quite that easy but now that we've made it, you might as well probe the relationship between angular velocity and linear velocity. (Disclaimer: no bugs were damaged or killed in the process of making this simulation ... at least not by us.)

Explore the concept of center of mass. Use your mouse or finger to drag out a shape and view its center of mass as you make changes to its shape. But before you leave the page, make sure to hang the shape on the corkboard and watch it swing back and forth about its pivot point (or pinning location). This Interactive gives you the ability to interact and explore concept of center of mass and balance.

What does it take to balance a balance beam? Do you need to have the same amount of weight on each side? Or does balancing a balance beam have to do with more than just the amount of weight that hangs on each side? Explore these questions with our Balance Beam Interactive. And once you think you've learned the rule of balance, demonstrate your mastery with our built-in quiz.

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