This experiment (from Dinosaur Discovery, Everything you need to know about being a Paleontologist by Chris McGowan) is about your center of mass and how this relates to a dinosaur having a tail. Let me just say Cutie Pie is absolutely loving this book!
Take a paper clip and tie it to one end of string.
Tape the other end to your body at the level of your center of mass (about level with your navel if you are younger than about nine, or about a hands length below your navel if you are older) adjust the length of the string so the paper clip almost touches the floor when you bend forward.
Put your hands behind your back and bend forward. Where does the paper clip hover?
Try lifting one foot while still bending over, what happens to the paper clip? What happens to you?
Now hold a bag of books behind you, this shifts your center of mass like a dinosaur’s tail does. Now bend over again. Can you do it this time?
Hold the bag of books at your side and bend over. Do you topple?
Isn’t this a cool experiment? Cutie Pie just loved it so much I had to share to try to convince you to check out this book…at least from your local library!
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