3D block tower: stability and impact
A 3D tower of blocks and a heavy ball crashing into it. Orbit the camera and see why the tower falls. Physics for kids 6+.
3D
Age 6+10 min
StabilityMomentum & collisions3D scene
Loading simulation…
Drag to orbit the scene, scroll to zoom. Press “Run”.
What the experiment shows
Eight layers of blocks make a tower. An 8 kg ball flies into it — on impact the upper part shifts and collapses.
How to run it
- Orbit the camera with the mouse, then press “Run”.
- Open the example in the editor and make the ball light (0.5 kg) — does the tower stand?
- Shift one of the middle blocks and test the stability.
Questions to discuss
- Why is a wide tower steadier than a tall narrow one?
- How should the blocks be arranged for the tower to survive the hit?
The science
A body is stable while the vertical line from its center of mass passes through its base. An impact adds momentum, breaks this condition and the tower tips over. The heavier and faster the ball, the larger the momentum p = m·v.
Try it at home
Build a tower from blocks or books and throw a ball at it. Compare how it falls when the bottom blocks are wider than the top ones.
What to change in the editor
- Set the blocks’ friction to 0.1 — the tower will slide.
- Add more layers.