Fun and easy science experiments for kids and adults.
Homemade marble run
Physics
Build a fun marble run attached to the wall. This is an experiment about gravitational and kinetic energy.
| Gilla: | Dela: | |
Video
Materials
- Empty paper rolls, pipes, hoses, kitchen utensils, funnels, etc.
- Masking tape
- 1 pair of scissors
- 1 marble
Procedure
Empty toilet paper rolls, or paper towel rolls, cut into two pipe halves are a good foundation for the marble run.
Explanation
The higher up something is, the more gravitational energy it has. The faster something moves, the more kinetic energy it has. These are two of the energy forms in the universe.A marble that is lifted from the ground gets gravitational energy. If the marble is allowed to roll back down towards the ground, this gravitational energy is converted into kinetic energy. When the marble has reached the ground again, all gravitational energy has been converted into kinetic energy.
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. This is called the energy principle. When energy changes from one form to another it's called an energy transformation or an energy conversion.
What happened to the kinetic energy as the marble stopped?
It got converted into thermal energy (heat) of the air and the marble run parts. This happened because of friction, which is a force that arises when two bodies slide against ech other. When the marble rolled on or hit the surfaces of the marble run parts and the air, friction arose, causing some of the marble's kinetic energy to convert into thermal energy. The higher up the marble starts, the more gravitational energy it has and the more kinetic energy it can get. It's possible to save or waste this kinetic energy depending on the inclination of the slope. On a steep slope, a lot of gravitational energy is converted into kinetic energy in a short time and the marble reaches a high speed.
Experiment
You can turn this demonstration into an experiment. This will make it a better science project. To do that, try answering one of the following questions. The answer to the question will be your hypothesis. Then test the hypothesis by doing the experiment.- How can you make the marble clear a uphill slope?
- How can you make the marble clear a loop?
- How can you make the marble clear a jump?
Variations
It is also possible to place the marble run in the middle of the room with the help of suitable supports, or lying down on a slope outdoors.| Gilla: | Dela: | |
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© The Experiment Archive. Fun and easy science experiments for kids and adults. In biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, astronomy, technology, fire, air and water. To do in preschool, school, after school and at home. Also science fair projects and a teacher's guide.
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© The Experiment Archive. Fun and easy science experiments for kids and adults. In biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, astronomy, technology, fire, air and water. To do in preschool, school, after school and at home. Also science fair projects and a teacher's guide.
To the top
