Playground Physics

Playgrounds are the perfect place to introduce your kids to basic physics! They will have fun as they explore gravity and friction, and how those forces affect motion. So, pack some snacks and head to the park!

Physics is the study of matter and how it interacts with energy and forces. Some fun things to discuss & discover within physics are buoyancy, magnets, simple machines, gravity, kinetic energy & potential energy. Today we’ll dive into gravity, energy and simple machines. 

What You’ll Need:

• • A playground with a basic slide and swings 
  • A timer 
  • A towel 
  • Small balls, like tennis balls 
  • Adult supervision 

What To Do:

• • Slide: Start by having your kids climb to the top of the slide. When they are at the top they are in a state of potential energy. Once they slide down, they are in a state of kinetic energy. In other words, a force was required to make them have motion (sliding) and that force was gravity. Without gravity, slides would not be fun at all! 
    • More things to try: Does a bigger kid slide faster than a smaller one? How about if you sit on a towel? Does that increase your speed? How about the type of clothing you’re wearing? Try rolling a ball or rocks down the slide. How does the smooth surface of the item affect speed? Is it faster or slower than something that is not smooth? 
  • Swings: Have the kids swing on the swings! Have them notice if they go faster or have more swings depending on their weight. Maybe you could also swing next to them so you can compare the differences. How long does it take to stop swinging? Is it longer or shorter depending on your weight? How does dragging your foot affect how quickly you slow down? A swing is a type of pendulum, and the length of the swing, as well as the weight of the object that swings (you) affects motion. A pendulum is a simple machine.
    
    
  • Teeter-Totter: These aren’t always available but if you find one, it can also be a great way to illustrate simple machines.  Note how much easier it is to lift a heavy object at the end of the tetter totter than if you tried to lift in the center. Simple machines help us complete tasks easier.
    

The Science Behind the Experiment:

Newton’s First Law states that “a body in motion remains in motion, a body at rest remains at rest, unless acted upon by a force.” The tendency to resist changes in a state of motion is called inertia. Consider the forces that are acting upon you or your kids as you use the slide, swing or simply run and stop. One of the most important ones for playground fun is gravity – the force that pulls you and everything else on Earth down to the ground!   

Friction is the act of one surface or item rubbing against another. This is what causes things to slow down once they are in motion. Typically, the rougher the surface texture, the more friction there will be.