1J11.20 - 2 x 4 Tower

Code Number:
1J11.20
Demo Title:
2 x 4 Tower
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Center of Mass
Area of Study:
Mechanics
Equipment:
2 x 4 Blocks.
Procedure:

The 2 x 4 blocks are all numbered and have marks on them.  Starting with "12" on the bottom place the blocks on top of each other and slide them out to the marked spot.  When you get done they should form an arc with the top block being outside the area covered by the base of the bottom block.

References:
  • George K. Horton, Brian E. Holton, and Eugene Freidkin, "The Leaning Tower of Tiles—Revisited", TPT, Vol. 35, #4, Apr. 1997, p. 214.
  • Paul Chagnon, "Animated Displays III: Mechanical Puzzles", TPT, Vol. 31, #1, Jan. 1993, p. 32.
  • Joseph L. Spradley, "Meter‐Stick Mechanics", TPT, Vol. 28, #5, May 1990, p. 312.
  • Iain MacInnes, "An Instructive Mobile", TPT, Vol. 27, #1, Jan. 1989, p. 42.
  • D. Nachigall, "No Cement Needed!", TPT, Vol. 26, #4, Apr. 1988, p. 200.
  • Thomas D. Rossing, "A Dramatic Demonstration of Stability", TPT, Vol. 24, #8, Nov. 1986, p. 482.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "Stability of a Pile of Meter Sticks", TPT, Vol. 23, #8, Nov. 1985, p. 489.
  • D. J. Steck, "An Experiment in Discovery", TPT, Vol. 18, #9, Dec. 1980, p. 672.
  • John F. Hall, "Fun With Stacking Blocks", AJP, Vol. 73, #12, Dec. 2005, p. 1107.
  • R. P. Boas Jr, "Cantilevered Books", AJP, Vol. 41, #5, May 1973, p. 715.
  • "M-490. Corbeled Meter Sticks", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook, 1993.
  • G. D. Freier and F. J. Anderson, "Mp-11", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • Julien Clinton Sprott, "1.17 Stack of Cards", Physics Demonstrations, ISBN 0-299-21580-6, p. 49.
  • "Take It From the Top: How Does This Stack Up?",  From the Exploratorium Science Snackbook Series, "Force and Motion", p. 93.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "D.1. Stacking Metersticks", Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations, p. 38 - 39.
  • Christopher P. Jargodzki and Franklin Potter, "271. A Staircase to Infinity", Mad About Physics, p. 109, 245.
  • Janice VanCleave, "74. Magic Box", Teaching the Fun of Physics, p. 113.
  • Janice VanCleave, "71. Over the Edge", Teaching the Fun of Physics, p. 110.
  • Janice VanCleave, "51. Rock Bridge", Earth Science for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work, p. 115.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Rock Bridge", 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments, p. 76.
  • Jearl Walker, "1.66, Leaning Tower of Blocks", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 32.
  • Jearl Walker, "The Leaning Tower of Books", The Flying Circus of Physics with Answers, p. 2.5.

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.