Education:Science Projects: A Balancing Act
The kangaroo uses its tail for balance. A spider monkey can use its prehensile tail like another hand to give it balance in the treetops. Animals have amazing adaptations that help them balance. Here is a crazy balance exercise for you!
What you need
A metal teaspoon
A nose (if you don't have a nose, use your neighbor’s)
Some warm air
What you do
1. Blow some warm
air into the cup of the spoon (the place where the soup goes).
2. Put the spoon on the tip of your nose and hold it there for a few
seconds.
3. Slowly remove your hands. Presto!!! The spoon should balance by itself.
How does it work?
Scientists have many different theories. Some say that the metal spoon’s
atoms form to the nose. Others say that the condensation dries and makes
it stick to your nose. I am still doing research on this. I can conclusively
say that this balancing experiment is a lot of fun to do. Try it at
the dinner table. It will drive your parents crazy. Remember:
if it is science, it is fun!
Catch
Dr. Zoolittle in entertaining shows at the San
Diego Zoo daily during the summer and every weekend and school
holiday.
