Balance in physics Pag

Think about balance. Now think about a scale. Or think about a spoon you are balancing on your finger. Balance is nature. The force that creates this is called gravity. Notation 1g = 9.81 m/s² downwards force. This will make sure an object will fall if there is no resistance. When you add a resistance, the object can be slowed down or even be in perfect balance. A seesaw is the example of this. For instance: Julia is on one side and Hidde is on the other side of the seesaw. Because of the force Hidde pushed and the weight of Julia, Hidde will go up. If Hidde and Julia are not doing anything the one who weighs the most will go down and hit the ground. (see Fig. 1)

Fig. 1, Example Julia and Hidde

This is the most common way of implementing balance in physics. As a designer/ artist I’m fascinated by systems and its quest of finding a system that provide the perfect balance with the use of gravity which is the base of the construction. Scale is the most common physical use of gravity to define balance. (Büttner and Renn)

The use of gravity within my project was a great step towards finding the final system. Gravity is also the base of creating tension. Tension on a string or a line is created by a force. For instance: An object is hanging on a line. The weight of the object creates the tension on the line, by means of gravity. This only works if the other end of the line is attached to a constant counter force. A beam or a ceiling is a point to attach a line and take a force, the counterforce. On the line there will be a force, equal to the weight of the object, and will ensure that the line will follow the most direct connection towards the object. (see fig. 2) A product that uses the technique of tension is a bow and arrow. If one is pulling on the string, you will create tension, so much that if you release the string the arrow will use the returning force to fly away. (SantoPietro)

Fig. 2, Tension on a line

Creating an object that is a representation of how I see balance; I see balance in more forms than just one. Probably like you. Balance isn’t a word that fits with one thing. Balance is moving. Balance is fragile.

Like Albert Einstein said: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you have to keep moving.”