Force in the early years/Document: Difference between revisions

Again, compare the effects of ‘big’ and ‘small’ forces.

* Moving air: windmills/ribbons/kites/racing wind wheels/bubbles/wind chimes/wind measurers (different materials on washing lines)/wind sock/spiral twirlers/flapping fish race/sails on modern ships/squirting bottles/battery fans/pneumatics (demonstrate a simple syringe effect)/balloon on string/car (demonstrate)/blow paint.

* Moving water: water wheels/car or boat water toys.

'''Points to follow up'''

If someone stands on your toes wearing stiletto heels, it is more painful than if they do so wearing wellies. The same force is applied over a smaller area. This also explains why it is important to lie on a ladder if you are rescuing someone trapped in a frozen pond. Your pressure on the ice will be less because your weight (force) will be spread over a larger area.

The same energy is required to close a door however you do it. If you close it with your hand near the hinge, it is hard work. A large force is needed because the distance is small. If you close it with your hand near the handle it is much easier. Less force is needed because the distance is greater.

In other words, the harder we push, the more things will speed up. Force is directly proportional to acceleration.

If we were to rearrange this formula:

Then we can see that acceleration is inversely proportional to the mass of an object. The bigger the object the harder we would have to push to get it to speed up.

Friction is force

It is the force resisting motion between two surfaces in contact. Air resistance is a kind of friction.  

Force toys in variety including a screwball scramble, windsocks, windmills, twirly things and marble run/Galt Ramp equipment/Pneumatic kit/Balloon on string.

Explore toys: make a list and identify which aspects of forces that could be used.  

A force is when you’re made to do something.

My mother forces me to tidy the room when I don’t want to.