Objects don’t move, unless you add a force to act on them. That property of matter is called inertia. We’re able to decrease (make less) the force of friction acting on our objects enough that our cups didn’t move!
This activity explores the property of inertia and the forces of friction and gravity. When we remove the plate, our egg will fall (due to gravity), and stay in the same position relative to the cup (due to inertia).
The faster air flows over the surface of something, the less the air pushes on that surface (and so the lower its pressure). As gravity pulls the ball down, the air from the hair dryer flows around the outside of the ball while the pressure below the ball from the moving air forces it upward. When the forces are balanced, the ball hovers.
Materials:
How: Place a cup, plate or whole place setting on a tablecloth. Grab the tablecloth at the bottom and pull the tablecloth quickly down towards the ground (the direction that gravity is already pushing on them).
Pro Tip: Use a tablecloth that has little or no finished edge to reduce friction. Place the edge just behind your first cup, like in the video.
Experiment Further: Try different cloth textures, and objects of different masses and surface areas! Avoid using anything fragile that might break. As you practice you will make mistakes!
Materials:
How: Place plate on top of cup, with a paper tube above, and egg resting on top.
Reminder: The property of inertia will help us here. We want our egg to line up correctly so it sits directly above the cup opening. Hit the plate straight on, so that it is pushed out of the way creating an opening for the egg to fall into the cup.
Experiment Further: Try more – line up several of these in a row. How many can you do at once?
Materials:
How: Tape the cold button down on your hairdryer to keep things, cool. Plug in the hairdryer. Point the hairdryer towards the sky – so the air is blowing upwards. Place a ball in the stream of air.
Experiment Further: Try objects with different masses and surface areas! Explore how funneling air into a smaller area changes your experiment.
Partner with an Adult and try it with larger items – A leaf blower and a beachball!
Take a photo or video of you and your family doing our Try It activities and tag us on social media with the hashtag #ScienceAtHomeDSC
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We’ll share some of our favorites so that we can all learn from each other! Plus, check back on this page where we’ll highlight the submissions we receive so you can see what others are doing!
Here are just a few ideas for photos or videos you can share:
The Da Vinci Science Center is a national award-winning science center that has connected science to life and lives to science since 1992.
7 months 4 days ago
We're just one month away from the deadline to apply for our Hall of Fame Awards. Five high school students with a passion for science will be awarded $2,000 scholarships. Three educators who inspire enthusiasm for science will be awarded a free classroom program or field trip for their students, valued up to $1,000. To apply for the awards or nominate an educator, visit davincisciencecenter.org.
7 months 1 week ago
Ice Cream Wars is only one week away! We can't wait to taste all of the unique flavors that each team creates! Join us on Saturday, Jan. 4 and vote for your favorite. Who will become the Ice Cream Wars 12 champion? Learn more at bit.ly/2EJo98Y.
7 months 1 week ago
Christmas may be winding down, but the fun is only beginning at Da Vinci Science Center! We have BubbleMania! shows every day from Dec. 26-Dec. 31. Don't miss your chance to see how the ordinary soap bubble can become something EXTRAORDINARY! More information on show times and tickets available at bit.ly/2raDJXH.
7 months 1 week ago
Do you know a high school student who is uncommonly creative and passionate about science? How about a teacher who can inspire enthusiasm for science with innovative approaches? Da Vinci Science Center is looking for applications for the Hall of Fame Awards, where students are awarded $2,000 scholarships and educators receive high-quality classroom programs or a field trip for their students, valued up to $1,000. Applications are due by Jan. 27. For more information, visit davincisciencecenter.org.
7 months 1 week ago
Ice Cream Wars 12 is right around the corner! On Saturday, Jan. 4, come taste 9 different ice cream flavors made using liquid nitrogen! Vote for your favorite and help us crown the Ice Cream Wars 12 champion! Will B104 hold their title for the third year in a row? We can't wait to find out! bit.ly/2EJo98Y
7 months 2 weeks ago
A few of our STEAM Team Traveling Science Educators had a blast last week when they brought one of our Science Celebrations, STEAM Fest, to the Boys & Girls Club of Easton. You can learn more about our Traveling Science programs at www.davincisciencecenter.org/traveling-science/.
7 months 2 weeks ago
Teams are hard at work preparing for Ice Cream Wars 12 on Saturday, Jan. 4. Come sample all nine flavors and vote on your favorite!
7 months 4 weeks ago
Have you seen BubbleMania! yet? If not, good news! Casey Carle, professional bubbleologist, will be here all weekend long! We're even open EARLY on Sunday (10:30 a.m.) to bring you even more show times! Don't miss your chance to witness how the ordinary soap bubble can turn into something extraordinary! Learn more at bit.ly/2raDJXH.
7 months 4 weeks ago
With more than 100 types of arthritis out there, finding the best treatment can be tricky. Dr. Matthew Brown will provide a good overview on how to prevent, treat, and manage arthritis during Senior Science Monday this Monday, Dec. 9 from 1-2 p.m. Senior Science Mondays are presented by St. Luke's University Health Network. Learn more at bit.ly/2J1D5l6.
8 months 2 days ago
What if the Da Vinci Science Center didn’t exist?
Jane and her grandkids are sure glad it does. “If the Da Vinci Science Center didn’t exist, the kids wouldn’t have these opportunities to gain greater knowledge of science. Every parent wants to give their children the opportunity to achieve at their highest levels. By experiencing science at this level, kids are more encouraged, excited, and interested in STEAM fields.”
Join Jane and her family in supporting the Da Vinci Science Center tomorrow at 8 a.m. $10 can bring science to life for one under-served student. With Facebook’s #GivingTuesday match, $10 becomes $20 and one under-served student becomes two!
To learn more about how your support makes a difference, visit davincisciencecenter.org/annualfund.
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