Hammer-and-Ruler Balance
Heavy hammer can balance in a surprising arrangement.
Teaching & key ideas
What you do: Loop string so hammer hangs under ruler supported at table edge.
What students see: Heavy hammer can balance in a surprising arrangement.
Why it works: Combined center of mass sits under the support point.
Question to ask: How can the heavy hammer stay up?
Lesson flow
Predict → demonstrate → observe → briefly explain → ask: How can the heavy hammer stay up?