Roll on the sphere

1. Content:

Exhibitions consist of a ball, curved track, bracket, and circular base. Two horizontal stainless steel tracks are parallel, and the curved tracks are in a semi closed state, with the distance between the tracks increasing from small to large. During the interactive experience, participants can see a circular stainless steel track groove supported on a circular base, surrounded by steel rings. The ball is placed on two parallel tracks and stuck in the middle of the track. In fact, the center of gravity of the ball is highest at the end with the smallest distance, and lowest at the end with the largest distance. The weight of the ball getting stuck between the tracks during movement is increasing, and the center of gravity is getting lower and lower.

2. Principle:

The principle of rolling on a sphere is the movement of the center of gravity. Although the observed phenomenon appears to be a sphere rolling upwards, when viewed from the side, the center of gravity of the sphere is actually moving downwards. The reason for the illusion is that although the two supporting rods are lifted upwards, the distance between the rods is constantly increasing, which means that the position of the rod supporting the sphere is moving outward. (Center of gravity: Under normal circumstances, the center of gravity refers to the geometric center of an object. The center of gravity of a cone is located on the center of gravity of the cone, not outside the object. The specific position of the center of gravity is in the middle of the central axis of the sphere.).

3. Purpose:

Through interactive activities, tourists can understand the principle that objects always seek stability by lowering their center of gravity in a gravitational field.