Free Physics Simulation

Explore the Balance Beam & Torque

Drag weights onto a seesaw and balance the torques on both sides. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.

Try it free See how it works

Free to use
No signup
Nothing to install
Runs in your browser

Free to use

No signup

Balance Beam & Torque

Setting

Open the Balance Beam & Torque

Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.

See it in action

The Balance Beam & Torque with sample data entered and the result showing.

Explained

What is the Balance Beam & Torque?

Drag weights onto a seesaw and balance the torques on both sides. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.

Levers and torque are used in wrenches, crowbars, cranes, seesaws and the human forearm. Balancing is also key to bridge and building design.

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Key idea 1Key idea 2Key idea 3

3 steps to your result

Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.

In the Balance Beam & Torque, pick an option such as Ruler, Force arrows, Snap to 0.5 m to switch modes or load an example.

Start with this experiment: Put a 20 kg weight 2 m left. Where must a 10 kg weight go to balance it?. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Balance Beam & Torque responds in real time.

Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Torque = force × distance from the pivot (τ = F d).

What you get

Key idea 1

Torque = force × distance from the pivot (τ = F d).

Key idea 2

The beam balances when the total clockwise torque equals the total anticlockwise torque.

Key idea 3

A lighter weight further from the pivot can balance a heavier weight closer in.

Experiment 1

Put a 20 kg weight 2 m left. Where must a 10 kg weight go to balance it?

Experiment 2

Drag the pivot off-centre and see how the beam behaves.

Experiment 3

Use three weights to balance the beam.

Used for

Pick one to see how it fits.

Use case

Physics learners

Physics students in middle school, high school and first-year university, teachers who want a quick demonstration for the projector, and anyone revising for exams.

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How it compares

A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.

	This simulation	Textbook diagram
Interactive	Drag, tap and change settings	Fixed picture
Install	Nothing to install	Not needed
Cost	Free to use	Depends on the book

Questions people ask

How do you balance a seesaw?

Make the torques equal: m1 × d1 = m2 × d2. A child twice as heavy must sit half as far from the pivot.

What is torque?

The turning effect of a force. It equals the force times the perpendicular distance from the pivot.

Is the Balance Beam & Torque free to use?

Yes. The Balance Beam & Torque is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Physics group of AZRS simulations.

Does the Balance Beam & Torque work on a phone or tablet?

Yes. The Balance Beam & Torque takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can drag its objects with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.

How do I use the Balance Beam & Torque?

1. In the Balance Beam & Torque, pick an option such as Ruler, Force arrows, Snap to 0.5 m to switch modes or load an example. 2. In the Balance Beam & Torque, press "+ 5 kg", "+ 10 kg", "+ 20 kg", "Remove all" to start, reset or change what is happening. 3. Start with this experiment: Put a 20 kg weight 2 m left. Where must a 10 kg weight go to balance it?. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Balance Beam & Torque responds in real time. 4. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Torque = force × distance from the pivot (τ = F d).