I always love when I get to write about something my son came up with. We were sitting at the table and all of the sudden he questioned the weight of Legos vs his dice. I was like I am not sure we could weigh them. He said no lets put them on a balancing board and see how many of each are needed on each side. So with that we jumped into the world of weighing the odds and finding the ideal balance between dice and Legos on popsicle sticks.
By exploring the weights of these objects, we uncovered in a lot of ways we needed a lot more legos to equal the weight of some of his dice. Get ready to uncover the secrets that lie behind creating gravity-defying structures with dice, Legos, and popsicle sticks.
What you need to have fun with this activity:
– Dice of various sizes and shapes
– Lego bricks of different shades and thicknesses
– Sturdy popsicle sticks
Science Behind the Weight
Weight distribution plays a crucial role in achieving balance. Start by examining the weight of the dice and Legos individually. Compare the density and mass by placing different dice and Lego bricks on a weighing scale. Take note of the variations and keep them in mind when building your structure. And of course design the base of the balance board and popsicle stick like you see below.
Choosing the Right Combination
Based on the weight comparison, strategize the arrangement that will provide the best chance at balance between the lego’s and the dice. Experiment with using different dice and Lego combinations to find the optimal balance. Consider the size, shape, and weight of each component, aiming to distribute the weight evenly.
Trial and Error
Begin the balancing act by placing the popsicle stick as the foundation. Gradually add dice and Lego bricks, carefully observing how the weight is distributed. Adjust the arrangement until you achieve a stable and gravity-defying structure. Embrace the process of trial and error, allowing yourself the opportunity to learn from each attempt.
Here is my son showcasing that trial and error
Recording Your Findings
Document your observations throughout the experiment. Keep a record of the dice and Lego combinations, the weight distributions, and any significant variables that affect the overall balance of the two different items. This documentation will enable you to refine your techniques over time. Or for my son he likes to record his work to share with his friends and family.
Experiencing the Balance
Now that you have fine-tuned your structure, enjoy the marvel of defying gravity. Capture captivating photos or videos of your balanced creations and share them with fellow enthusiasts or on social media platforms to inspire others to embark on their own weight-balancing journey.
My son was able to build some pretty high structures with the Legos compared to what his dice looked like on other side.
