Balance the Beam: Physics Puzzle
BalanceV gives you a beam on a pivot and a series of weights to place along it. What matters is not how heavy a weight is but how far out you put it, which is the whole lesson of the lever.
How to play BalanceV
- A weight waits above the beam. Move it left or right along the beam.
- Tap the beam to jump the marker straight to a slot.
- Drop the weight. The beam tilts according to the load on each side.
- Keep the beam close to level as more weights arrive.
- Tilt past 26 degrees and the beam topples, ending the run.
How scoring works
The beam responds to weight multiplied by distance from the centre, so a small weight placed far out can outweigh a heavy one near the middle. Landing the beam near level scores a large bonus and perfect balance scores the most. The run continues until the tilt passes 26 degrees, at which point the beam topples and the score stands.
Three ways to score better
- Think in terms of weight times distance, not weight. Two units at four slots out equals four units at two slots out.
- Keep heavy weights near the pivot. They leave you room to correct with light ones further out.
- Correct a small tilt immediately. Once the beam is leaning, every later placement has to fight it.
Common questions
Why does a light weight sometimes outweigh a heavy one?
Because the beam responds to torque — weight multiplied by its distance from the pivot. Distance counts just as much as mass.
What ends the run?
A tilt past 26 degrees. The beam topples at that point and no further weights can be placed.
Can I move a weight after dropping it?
No. Each weight is committed once dropped, so the placement decision is the whole of the game.
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BalanceV is one of 25 challenges in ChallengeV, part of Apps by V. It runs entirely in your browser, works offline once loaded, needs no signup, and keeps your scores on your own device rather than on a server. Everything here is for entertainment — it is not a test or an assessment of any kind.