Code Number: 1J11.10

Demo Title: Leaning Tower Demo

Condition: Good

Principle: Center of Mass

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment: Leaning Tower Demo

Procedure:

Place the tower on the table without the top and it will remain upright. Place the top on the tower and the center of gravity is now shifted and the tower will fall over.

References:

Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "Designing a New Leaning Tower Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 59, #6, Sept. 2021, p. 445.
Rod Shinn, "A Variable Leaning Tower of Pisa", TPT, Vol. 23, # 3, Mar. 1985, p. 181.
Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Leaning Tower", AJP, Vol. 75, # 4, p. 367, April 2007.
M. E. Gardner, "Falling Cylinders", AJP, Vol. 34, #9, Sep. 1966, p. 822.
Mp- 9: Freier and Anderson, A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
Jearl Walker, "1.67, Leaning Tower of Pisa", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 33.

Disclaimer

These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.

Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

1J11.10 - Leaning Tower Demo

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