Science Smarts: Somthing to do with those spare parts
By Patty Rooks on May 25, 2024.
With spring in full swing, I know many of us are fixing up those bicycles that have been sitting in the garage over the winter months. A couple of mine I think are no longer fixable – so I came up with a fun science activity to use the spare parts. Let’s get started! *Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment. Materials - Bicycle wheel - Pegs that can screw into the tire - Swivel chair - Science helper Procedure 1. If the bicycle tire does not already have pegs on it (like a BMX bike), add them now. One on each side so you can hold the wheel in front of you. 2. Sit on the swivel chair holding the bicycle wheel by the pegs in each hand. 3. Hold the tire out as far as you can expend your arms. 4. Have your science helper start spinning the wheel. 5. Slowly turn the wheel to the right. 6. Observe and discuss with your science helper. 7. What is going on? 8. Repeat BUT turn the wheel the opposite direction. 9. What happens? What is going on? When you were holding the wheel vertical, you should have been stationary on your swivel chair. Once you began to turn the wheel to either side, you should have started spinning. This can be attributed to the scientific principle of angular momentum. Angular momentum is the force you feel on your body as the wheel causes you to spin in your chair. Patty Rooks, senior scientific consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community.” Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: 12 826 11th Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca. 21-20
