Climbing astronauts
Embark on an educational adventure with the Climbing Astronaut experiment, where we explore the role of friction in aiding astronauts as they climb up to the moon. Join me as we unravel the fascinating science behind this phenomenon, understanding how friction plays a crucial role.
What you need:
· A printed file of the astronauts (on cardboard paper)
· A drinking straw
· Some 3-4 mm cord or rope
· markers
· tape
· glue stick
What to do?
· Color the astronauts and the moon.
· Cut the layout (make sure to leave the rectangles connected to the astronauts’ hands).
· Cut two 15 mm pieces of straw.
· Glue a straw on the back of each of the astronaut’s hands with tape.
· Fold the layout and glue the two astronauts back-to-back.
· Cut a 4 cm long straw.
· Glue the straw to the back of the moon with some tape.
· Put the rope through the straw on the back of the moon.
· Thread each side of the rope into each hand of the astronauts
· Tie a knot at the end of the rope.
· Hang the moon straw on top of a nail (or ask someone to hold it for you).
· Pull the strings. Alternately one at a time
The astronauts will start climbing up the rope towards the moon!
why is it happening?
When we pull on the rope, we cause the astronaut to lean sideways at an angle. In this position, the straw on the other side changes its direction and creates a bend in the rope, thus creating friction that “locks” the straw in place, or in other words, the astronaut’s hand “holds” the wire on the opposite side of the pull. And so, he climbs.
What is that friction?
Friction is a force that acts between two bodies that are in contact, like for example a heavy box that is on the floor, if we try to move the box the friction that acts between it and the floor will make it difficult for us. The smoother the surface, the lower the friction force and the easier it will be to move the box. As the contact area between the two bodies increases, the friction force also increases. In addition, the heavier the box will be, the pressure it will exert on the floor will increase and the friction will also increase.
