Balance

The balance between Earth and the Moon is stable.

In the photograph below, you can see an example of stable and unstable balances. The balance of the lowest rock is stable, as it will not fall down when pushed. The balance of the highest rocks, on the other hand, is unstable. Even a small touch can make them move and fall. 



Each object has its own centre of gravity. As long as the centre of gravity remains on top of the supporting surface, the object remains in good balance and will not fall down. When the centre of gravity moves outside the supporting surface, the object becomes unstable. Eventually, it will fall down.


A wooden object falls down from a slanted metal surface when its centre of gravity (the black string) moves outside its supporting surface.