Weighted Disk
Purpose
Demonstrates how a non-uniform mass distribution affects rolling motion. On a level surface, the disk always rolls back to place its center of mass at the lowest point. On an incline, orienting the weighted side 90° uphill makes the disk roll uphill — the center of mass actually descends as the heavy side rotates downward.
Figure 1:
The weighted disk apparatus with adjustable inclined plane. The small dark rectangle visible on the disk's face indicates the position of the off-center weight.
Demo Apparatus
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