The Wheel Deal
Explore how wheels help move objects and reduce friction.
Big Idea: Wheels move objects
Materials:
- Wagon or cart
- Other objects that have wheels, or are shaped like a wheel – such as toy cars, paint containers, spools, cups, crayons, rolls of tape, etc.
- Objects that do not roll – such as blocks that are cubes or cones, books, paper clips, glue bottles, etc.
Illinois Learning Standards:
4.A Listen effectively in formal and informal situations.
11.A Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.
11.B Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design.
12.D Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them.
31.A Develop a positive self-concept.
11.A Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.
11.B Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design.
12.D Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them.
31.A Develop a positive self-concept.
Vocabulary:
Friction: the rubbing force of one object against another; this causes moving objects to slow down
Wheel and axle: device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center.
Wheel and axle: device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center.
Activity Directions:
- Turn the wagon upside down, with its wheels up in the air.
- Ask a child to sit on the wagon.
- Try to pull the wagon.
- Turn the wagon over so that the wheels touch the ground. Pull the wagon. Discuss how the wheel and axle works.
- Introduce the idea of friction.
- Try other objects.
- Compare the objects that roll to the objects that do not roll. (Use an inclined plane if you’d like.)
Investigation Questions:
Q. Why is the wagon difficult to pull? (the wagon is upside down)
Q. How can we make it easier to pull? (turn the wagon over)
Q. Who thinks it will be easier and who thinks it will be more difficult to pull? Why? (the wagon is upright on wheels)
Q. Is there more friction when you turn the wagon upside down, or on its side? Why?
Q. What happens when you try to push a container of paint that is sitting upright? What happens if you turn it on its side? Why does it roll? Is it easier to move it this way?
Exhibit:
Workshop:
