Balancing Forks on a Toothpick
Heavy forks hang far off the side without falling.
Teaching & key ideas
What you do: Interlock forks around toothpick and balance on cup rim.
What students see: Heavy forks hang far off the side without falling.
Why it works: The combined center of mass lies below/inside the support point.
Question to ask: Where is the balance point hiding?
Lesson flow
Predict → demonstrate → observe → briefly explain → ask: Where is the balance point hiding?