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Ovie Trailer Shadow
Jeep
Jeep Wheel
Trailer
Trailer Leg
Trailer Wheel
Box: 90kg Box: 45kg

Load the explorers’ gear onto this trailer. The farther from the wheel you put a box, the more it will tip the trailer. Heavier gear should be closer to the wheel.

You want to reach the team quickly and safely without losing anything!

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How to Load the Trailer

  1. Drag each box onto the trailer.
  2. Once you have put all the boxes on the trailer, click the “Check Your Work” button to see if you’ve balanced the trailer.

Arrow
Drag each box to the trailer!
Now, check your work!
Help

What is balance and center point?

In this example, the term "balance" means making the trailer stable by placing the boxes at the correct distance on each side of the center point so the trailer does not lean backward or forward.

The center point is the center of the trailer. It is the trailer's wheel.

When the trailer is empty, it is perfectly balanced around the center point.

Balance and Center Point

Formula: Balancing objects around a center point

  1. Multiply the object's weight times its distance from the center. This is represented by W x D where:

    • W = Weight of the object
    • D = Distance from the center

  2. The trailer is balanced when WxD on one side of the center point equals WxD on the other side so:

Weight x Distance (W)(D) = Weight x Distance (W)(D)

Balancing two objects around the center

If you have two boxes that are the same weight, you can place them the same distance from the center and the trailer will be balanced.

Think about a seesaw on a playground. If you and I weigh about the same, we can both sit at the very ends of the seesaw board. The seesaw will be perfectly balanced.

45kg : 2m | 2m : 45 kg (45kg x 2m) = 90 | (45kg x 2m) = 90

But if one of us is heavier, we can't both sit at the same place on the seesaw to keep it balanced. The heavier person has to move closer to the center.

45kg : 2m | 1m : 45 kg (45kg x 2m) = 90 | (90kg x 1m) = 90

Therefore, when balancing two objects of different weights, the heavier object needs to be closer to the center and the lighter object farther away.