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Torsion Balance

Torsion Balance is a tool that measures very weak forces by how far a thin wire twists.

Think of it this way

A thin rubber band hangs from a hook above a flat tray. A small bowl is tied to the bottom of the band. When a light push moves the bowl to one side, the band twists. The more the band twists, the stronger the push was.

Explaining torsion balance by grade level

Hang a stick from a string so it can spin. Now bring a heavy ball close to one end. The stick turns a tiny bit toward the ball. That small twist shows you how much the ball pulls on the stick.

Projects that explore torsion balance

Gravitational Attraction with an Ancient-Style Torsion Balance

A thin wire or fibre can detect forces too weak to feel — when a tiny pull acts on a suspended beam, the fibre twists just enough to measure. You build a balance arm from a thin pine strip with lead weights at each end, then suspend it from vegetable fibre cut from twine. Two large stone test masses (paving stones) are placed near the lead weights. The gravitational pull between the stones and the lead causes the beam to twist slightly, and the amount of twist reveals the strength of that force. Natural fibres respond to humidity and can tear under stress, so selecting and preparing the right fibre takes patience and repeated testing.

Hard