Experiment 2 Method  Experiment 1 Explanation  Extension Questions 

Ruler PEOE  Balance ruler on two fingers close  In experiment 1, one finger will be  1. Why did both fingers move 
to the center and slowly move  slightly further from the center  in experiment 1 but only 
Where Does This Demo  them apart. One finger should  and will be the first to move. As it  one finger moved in 
Fit in the Curriculum?  move towards the end.  moves it becomes closer to the  experiment 2?  
The demo is meant for students in    center than the other finger. This  2. What situation would you 
a Grade 11 University Physics  ←O O  causes friction to lower on the  have to create where both 
course to introduce them to the  other finger which allows the other  fingers would move in the 
or  finger to move. This continues  second experiment and 
concept of normal force and 
  back and forth until both fingers  why is this situation 
friction. These topics are 
mentioned in the overall  O O→  reach the center.   essentially impossible? 
expectations in section C2 and the    3. Would the length or weight 
General Physics  of the ruler have any 
specific expectations in sections 
C2.1 and C2.2 for the forces section  influence on the 
Explanation  experiment? 
of the Ontario Grade 11 and 12  The finger closest to the center will 
Science Curriculum document (pg.   
carry a larger fraction of the   
186-187).  weight of the ruler than the finger 
Suggestions on What to 
Experiment 2 Explanation 
  furthest from the center. As a  do Next 
In experiment 2, one finger will be 
Materials  result F​N​ and friction (which is  Say that you’ll give a prize to the 
slightly further from the center 
● A ruler (Meter stick)  directly proportional to the  student who can cause both 
and will be the first to move. As it 
  normal force as F​f​=µF​N​) will also be  moves it becomes continually 
fingers to move in experiment 2 
  larger. Since the friction is lower  (without cheating). This will 
further from the center and so it 
Experiment 1 Method  on the finger furthest from the  encourage students to try it 
will continue to be the only finger 
center of the ruler, it will be the  themselves and none of them will 
Place ends of ruler on two fingers  to move. Both fingers can never be 
one to move in both experiment 1  ever get it. It will also give them a 
and slowly move them together.  the exact same distance from the 
and 2.  tangible feel for the weaker 
Both fingers should move towards  center in a real life situation so 
friction on the finger furthest from 
the center.  both can’t move at the same time. 
the center. 
 
 
O→ ←O  Source 
  https://sciensation.org/hands-on_expe
riments/e5061p_selfBalancing.html