Gigo 1249R, Manual, Page: 6 / 80

5
B
rainstorming
B
rainstorming
Jenga is a game that is based on the idea of
keeping the balance between a tower’s center of
gravity and its torque. The game is comprised of
many long wooden blocks. There are many different
variations of game play: one version is to try and build
a tower by removing blocks and adding them to the topmost
level. The key is to maintain the vertical contour of the tower while
adding blocks to the top. This way, the tower’s center of gravity and base form
a right angle, producing zero torque. However, stabilizing the tower while using
just one hand is difficult. Another method is to place the blocks on the opposite
side of the tower’s lean. For example, if the tower is leaning left, you place the
blocks on the right.
What do you need to watch out for if you want to build
a tall structure?
Daily
Application
Daily
Application
The contours of a skyscrapers are vertically aligned; thus, forming a right angle
between the building’s base and its center of gravity. This way, the building doesn’t
produce torque.
If you were to build a skyscraper like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, then the contours
of the building would be tilted. This causes the center of gravity to not form a right
angle with the base of the building; therefore, producing torque. The torque will
cause the building to progressively tilt before eventually falling over.
Some claim that the tower is famous for being the
site of Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei’s experiment
of dropping two balls of different masses in 1589,
as well as its ability to avoid collapsing despite it’s
unintentional tilt. In fact, over the past 100 years, the
tower faced a potential disaster, as it kept tilting more
and more towards the south. The Italian government
closed the tower to the public and implemented a
restoration project in 1990. After 11 years, engineers
finally stabilized the tower.
Kids, can you build a straight
and tall skyscraper?
1
Skyscraper
Scientific
Application
Center of Gravity
and Torque