Can a Hammer and Ruler Balance Defy Gravity?

[Defennder]

Is this possible?

http://bp1.blogger.com/_cxmptAPYR-s/RdeCowgR2iI/AAAAAAAAARk/cqmc7VWv60M/s1600-h/hammerrulerpuzzle_1.jpg

 

[Doc Al]

Try it and see! (Where's the center of mass?)

 

[Danger]

I've never seen that one before. Oh, goodie... another piece of free art for my living room.

 

[Doc Al]

bar trick - physics demo

Reminds me of the old bar trick--and now physics demo--of balancing forks on a toothpick. Same principle. http://demo.physics.uiuc.edu/lectdemo/scripts/demo_descript.idc?DemoID=634"

 

[Danger]

Yeah, that's a good one. I used to weird people out by hanging my school locker padlock on the end of my finger in a similar fashion. Me being me, everyone assumed that it was some sort of trick.