What happens when you hit a tetherball?
Introduction
|
Experiment
|
What happens when you hit a tetherball?
The tendency of an object following a curved path to fly outwards, away from the center of the curve is called “Centrifugal Force.” When you hit a tetherball, it tries to move straight away from you. But the rope pulls on it and stops the tetherball from going straight. So the tetherball goes as straight as it can - around the pole in a circle.
The Earth is also affected by centrifugal force. As the earth moves, it tries to keep moving in a straight line. But the Sun’s gravity pulls the Earth toward it. Gravity can't pull the Earth into the Sun, as the Earth is constantly trying to go straight. Hence, the earth goes in a circle around the Sun. Now let us perform the Balloon centrifuge experiment and try to see how centrifugal force works.
Materials in the box:
1. 3 Balloons
2. Hex nut
3. Washer
SAFETY: Follow Safety Tips and do this experiment with an adult only!
How do we begin?
1. Take the balloon and put the hex nut in it.
2. Now inflate it and tie it securely, so no air escapes.
3. Hold the balloon gently with both hands and rotate it to spin the hex nut.
4. The hex nut spins smoothly in a circular motion. What happens?
5. Now put the hex nut in the second balloon.
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3. Observe what happens.
So, what just happened?
The hex nut makes a roaring sound; the washer makes a light whirring sound and spins longer than the hex nut. The hex nut and washer rotate in the balloon due to centrifugal force (tendency of an object following a curved path to fly outwards, away from the center of the curve. It's not really a force; it results from inertia – an object at rest tends to remain at rest, and an object in motion tends to remain in motion.)
The tendency of an object following a curved path to fly outwards, away from the center of the curve is called “Centrifugal Force.” When you hit a tetherball, it tries to move straight away from you. But the rope pulls on it and stops the tetherball from going straight. So the tetherball goes as straight as it can - around the pole in a circle.
The Earth is also affected by centrifugal force. As the earth moves, it tries to keep moving in a straight line. But the Sun’s gravity pulls the Earth toward it. Gravity can't pull the Earth into the Sun, as the Earth is constantly trying to go straight. Hence, the earth goes in a circle around the Sun. Now let us perform an experiment and try to see how centrifugal force works.
The tendency of an object following a curved path to fly outwards, away from the center of the curve is called “Centrifugal Force.” When you hit a tetherball, it tries to move straight away from you. But the rope pulls on it and stops the tetherball from going straight. So the tetherball goes as straight as it can - around the pole in a circle.
The Earth is also affected by centrifugal force. As the earth moves, it tries to keep moving in a straight line. But the Sun’s gravity pulls the Earth toward it. Gravity can't pull the Earth into the Sun, as the Earth is constantly trying to go straight. Hence, the earth goes in a circle around the Sun. Now let us perform the Balloon centrifuge experiment and try to see how centrifugal force works.
Materials in the box:
1. 3 Balloons
2. Hex nut
3. Washer
SAFETY: Follow Safety Tips and do this experiment with an adult only!
How do we begin?
1. Take the balloon and put the hex nut in it.
2. Now inflate it and tie it securely, so no air escapes.
3. Hold the balloon gently with both hands and rotate it to spin the hex nut.
4. The hex nut spins smoothly in a circular motion. What happens?
5. Now put the hex nut in the second balloon.
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3. Observe what happens.
So, what just happened?
The hex nut makes a roaring sound; the washer makes a light whirring sound and spins longer than the hex nut. The hex nut and washer rotate in the balloon due to centrifugal force (tendency of an object following a curved path to fly outwards, away from the center of the curve. It's not really a force; it results from inertia – an object at rest tends to remain at rest, and an object in motion tends to remain in motion.)
The tendency of an object following a curved path to fly outwards, away from the center of the curve is called “Centrifugal Force.” When you hit a tetherball, it tries to move straight away from you. But the rope pulls on it and stops the tetherball from going straight. So the tetherball goes as straight as it can - around the pole in a circle.
The Earth is also affected by centrifugal force. As the earth moves, it tries to keep moving in a straight line. But the Sun’s gravity pulls the Earth toward it. Gravity can't pull the Earth into the Sun, as the Earth is constantly trying to go straight. Hence, the earth goes in a circle around the Sun. Now let us perform an experiment and try to see how centrifugal force works.