Hammer and ruler

G-MAN2004 · 12-09-2008, 16:55

...

Jello · 12-09-2008, 17:16

Center of mass. The center of mass is below the table where the rule is touching.

The illusion is that the audience believes the center of mass to be further out along the rule causing an imbalance, this isn't true.

AboveTheSalt · 12-09-2008, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-MAN2004

Thought I'd post it here as well, in hope of a good explanation. I know kind of why it works, but not in a detailed way.

It is clear evidence of the existence of a supreme being and it is not up to us, mere mortals, to question the mysterious ways in which he works his wonders.

semi-pro waster · 12-09-2008, 18:10

You should also note that in the final picture the ruler appears to have been moved another cm or so to the edge, that could be a trick of perspective but I don't think so, I rather suspect it is being held up for that one.

cleanbluesky · 12-09-2008, 18:14

ALLAH WILLS THE HAMMER TO FLOAT

Pickers · 12-09-2008, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jello

Center of mass. The center of mass is below the table where the rule is touching.

The illusion is that the audience believes the center of mass to be further out along the rule causing an imbalance, this isn't true.

pretty much "nailed" it there. fnar.

For another good example of centre of gravity and its relation to the stability of an object, touch your toes bending at the waist. Now stand flush against a wall and try to touch them.

Its not possible without falling over or moving away because your COG shifts to a horizontal position beyond the extent of your feet. When you dont have the wall behind you, your bum sticks out and brings the COG back over your feet, so you dont fall over.

semi-pro waster · 12-09-2008, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-MAN2004

Ok, I believe you, I hadn't realised that you took the pictures yourself, I thought it was from somewhere else. It wasn't doubt about the principle of it, just that I figured whoever it was may have been taking some creative licence about how far you could move it.

cleanbluesky · 12-09-2008, 19:11

I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE HAMMER IS NOT THE WORK OF ALLAH THE MERCIFUL AND I RETRACT MY PREVIOUS STATEMENT

Piggymon · 12-09-2008, 19:34

divine · 12-09-2008, 19:35

I was expecting a thread about communist schools.

12-09-2008, 16:55	#1
G-MAN2004 Columbian Coffee Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 83	Hammer and ruler ... Last edited by G-MAN2004; 15-06-2017 at 02:53.

12-09-2008, 18:10	#4
semi-pro waster Provider of sensible advice about homosexuals Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 2,615	You should also note that in the final picture the ruler appears to have been moved another cm or so to the edge, that could be a trick of perspective but I don't think so, I rather suspect it is being held up for that one. __________________ "Your friend is the man that knows all about you, and still likes you." - Elbert Hubbard

12-09-2008, 18:14	#5
cleanbluesky Abandoned Ship Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 492	ALLAH WILLS THE HAMMER TO FLOAT Last edited by leowyatt; 12-09-2008 at 19:13. Reason: why the large font

12-09-2008, 19:34	#9
Piggymon Lara Croft Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: PigmoPad - Braintree Essex Posts: 8,604	__________________ BF% 28/08/08 - 21%

12-09-2008, 19:35	#10
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	I was expecting a thread about communist schools. __________________

12-09-2008, 17:16	#2
Jello Nice weak cup of Earl Grey Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 33	Center of mass. The center of mass is below the table where the rule is touching. The illusion is that the audience believes the center of mass to be further out along the rule causing an imbalance, this isn't true.

12-09-2008, 19:11	#8
cleanbluesky Abandoned Ship Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 492	I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE HAMMER IS NOT THE WORK OF ALLAH THE MERCIFUL AND I RETRACT MY PREVIOUS STATEMENT

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