Stable, Unstable, and Neutral Equilibrium Concept

Demonstrations in Stable, Unstable, and Neutral Equilibrium

Three plastic funnels demonstrating equilibrium types: upright on rim (stable), inverted on spout (unstable), and lying on side (neutral)

Equilibrium Cones

Funnels placed in three orientations demonstrate stable, unstable, and neutral equilibrium. Students see how center-of-mass position relative to the support determines the equilibrium type and the system's response to perturbation.
Wooden figure with round white head standing on a black pedestal; long curved wire arms arc downward on both sides with weights at the tips, lowering the center of mass below the feet

Balancing Figure

Demonstrates stable equilibrium by showing that when the center of mass is below the pivot point, the system returns to equilibrium after displacement. The figure's long weighted arms lower its …
Dark green champagne bottle resting in a specially designed wooden plank stand with decorative inlay, balanced at an improbable diagonal angle on a green surface

Bottle Stand

The wooden stand cannot balance on its own, but adding the wine bottle shifts the system's center of mass over the support point, creating an improbable-looking stable equilibrium. Demonstrates how …