Wheel and Axle Systems
When you use identical wheels in the center holes, what will happen?
The system will roll straight down the ramp.
What causes a top to start rotating?
A force applied by hands.
What is a twirly bird?
A simple winged system that spins when it interacts with the air.
When one wheel on an axle is large and the other is small, this system is _______.
uneven
Name 3 everyday objects that would roll on a curved path/ uneven system.
Answers may vary. (ex. Flower pot, carrot, ice cream cone, cup)
How do you get a top to spin?
Rotate the shaft by pushing it between your palms.
What was the result of adding paper clips to the twirly bird?
The gravity pulls it down but the air under the wings pushes against it less because of the weight of the paper clips. So it will not spin as frequently as a standard twirly bird.
When wheels and axles rotate, what does that mean?
to go around together.
What causes a wheel and axle system to be wobbly?
When the axle between the two holes are not center holes.
Ben wants to spin his top on a rough surface. Will he get a good spin? Why?
No because the rough surface rubs on the top and makes it slow down.
What were the variables we used in our experiment?
We added paper clips to a twirly bird. We also cut the the wings shorter on another twirly bird.
What is a variable?
Anything we can change in the system that might affect the outcome.
What causes a wheel and axle system to roll on a curved path?
What are the variables that affect a top's performance?
speed, disk mass and diameter
What was the result of cutting the twirly birds wings shorter?
The gravity pulls it down and the air under the wings pushes against it more so the it spins more as it falls
What is rotational motion?
spinning
Why does the wheel eventually stop rolling?
Friction is a force that slows things down, until they come to a stop.
How does the way a top is made affect the way it spins?
More bigger disks produce a faster, more stable top. Big, heavy tops spin longer too.
What forces cause the twirly birds motion?
Gravity pulls it down. Air under the wings pushes against them, causing the twirly bird to spin.
What is a standard system?
What you will use to compare to other systems when we change different variables.