1J10.20 • Center of Mass: Baseball Bat

Location: Cabinet 1

Photo shows the demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin

Concepts Conveyed:

Shows that the mass on either side of a baseball bat’s center of mass is different depending on the length of the piece.
Demonstrates conservation of mass.

Instruction/Notes:

There are two identical baseball bats. One of them is whole, and the other is cut in half along the center of mass.
Ask the students which part of the halved bat is heavier.
Weigh each half on the scale to show that the two sides have different masses.
Weights of each piece:

Last updated on March 27, 2025