Lesson 51 of 84 · Energy
Experiment⭐ 30 XP⚡ Spark LabRenewable Energy Sources (Part 2)
Renewable Energy Sources (Part 2).
🎯 Your mission
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
⚡ The twist
Speed isn't the same as force. Don't mix them up.
Mind = Blown
⚡ Static electricity is the same physics as lightning, just smaller.
Make a hypothesis first
Guess: where does the energy go?
What You'll Learn
A lever is a rigid bar that rotates around a fixed point called a fulcrum. Seesaws, scissors, and bottle openers are all examples of levers that multiply force.
Key Words
- pulley
- inclined plane
- wedge
Materials Needed
- spring scale
- stopwatch
- pencils
- toy cars
- ramps
- string
Safety First
- Protect your work surface with newspaper or plastic.
Steps
Study the diagram and label the parts you recognize.
Construct a catapult from popsicle sticks and rubber bands. Launch a marshmallow from different angles and measure the distance. Find the angle that gives the longest launch.
Compare the before and after states.
Write your conclusion: did the results match your hypothesis? What would you change next time?
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3Which is a renewable energy source?
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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