How does a seesaw balance?
For grown-ups: the science
A seesaw balances when the turning power from each side is the same.
A seesaw is a lever that rotates around a pivot, or fulcrum. It balances when the clockwise and counterclockwise torques are equal: weight force times the horizontal distance from the pivot. A lighter child can balance a heavier child by sitting farther from the pivot.
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Transcript
A playground seesaw tips up and down. How can it balance in the middle?
The board rests on a support in the middle, called a pivot. The pivot is the spot where the seesaw can turn.
Each rider's weight pulls down on their side. The heavier side usually goes down.
Sitting farther from the pivot gives a rider more turning power. So a lighter rider can scoot back to help balance.
A seesaw balances when both sides have the same turning power. Weight and distance both matter!