FORCES OF NATURE
Defying gravity with centrifugal force
RN: 10090802 - EARTH SCIENCE & ASTRONOMY > GRAVITY
SUITABLE GRADES
3 & 4
DIFFICULTY
1
TIME REQUIRED
<12 hrs
SUPERVISION
ADVISED
INTRODUCTION [METHOD]
Various forces exist in nature that we are unable to see. We are however able to see how these forces work or what effect such forces can have with some interesting science experiments. One of these forces which can be easily studied is gravity. Gravity can be explained as the force with which the earth attracts bodies near its surface. You will know the effect of this force if you have ever fallen down on the playground! One way to work against the force of gravity is by 'centrifugal force' – try the following science experiment:
STUFF YOU NEED [MATERIALS]
- PLASTIC BUCKET
- WATER
HOW TO PROCEED [PROCEDURE]
- Fill a plastic bucket about a third full with water and knock it over. Gravity will cause the water to fall out of the bucket.
- Now fill the bucket one third with water again, but this time grab the bucket's handle and swing the bucket in a circular motion as fast as you can. This time the contents of the bucket will remain inside by the centrifugal force at work.
- When swinging the bucket in a circular motion there are times when the bucket is completely upside down, but gravity does not cause the water to fall out. The 'centrifugal force' is thus stronger than gravity in this instance.
WHY IT WORKS [CONCLUSION]
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LEARN MORE FACTS
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GLOSSARY [TERMS]
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OUR E-BOOK PRODUCTS
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