Lesson 31 of 84 · Forces
Experiment⭐ 30 XP⚡ Spark LabWedges and Screws in Everyday Life
Wedges and Screws in Everyday Life.
🎯 Your mission
Set it up. Test it. Be amazed.
⚡ The twist
Energy never disappears — it just hides somewhere else.
Mind = Blown
🎢 You feel weightless on a roller coaster because you and the seat are falling at the same speed.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you start: which will move faster, and why?
What You'll Learn
A force is a push or pull that can change an object's motion, shape, or direction. Forces are measured in Newtons and can act through contact or at a distance.
Key Words
- wheel and axle
- gravity
Materials Needed
- weights
- tape
- ruler
Safety First
- Adult supervision recommended.
Steps
Read about Forces and write down three key facts.
Create a Rube Goldberg machine with at least 5 steps that demonstrates energy transfer from one form to another.
Use your senses (except taste) to describe what you notice.
Write a summary of your findings in 3-5 sentences.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3Which is NOT a simple machine?
Where you see this in real life
You use this every time you flip a light switch, ride a bike, or kick a ball.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Time how long a small ball rolls down something, then change the slope and try again.
For the dinner table
“Show me something at home that uses this kind of energy.”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
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Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
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