Lesson 61 of 84 · Forces
Experiment⭐ 30 XP⚡ Spark LabThe Wheel and Axle (Part 2)
The Wheel and Axle (Part 2).
🎯 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
- screw
- wheel and axle
Materials Needed
- spring scale
- stopwatch
- pencils
- toy cars
- ramps
Safety First
- Do not mix unknown chemicals together.
- Tie back long hair before starting the experiment.
- Protect your work surface with newspaper or plastic.
Steps
Study the diagram and label the parts you recognize.
Build a simple motor using a battery, magnet, wire, and paper clip supports. Observe how electromagnetic forces create rotation.
Watch carefully for any changes and note the time.
Create a data table to organize your measurements.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What does friction do?
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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