Zoom! Friction in Action!

Zoom! Friction in Action!

Year 7 scientists hit the tracks this week—with toy cars! The mission? Find out how different surfaces affect how fast (or slow!) a car can go.

We tested bubble wrap, fabric (silk & cotton), tissue paper, foam, and baking paper. Here’s what we discovered:

• Zoom, zoom! 🏁 Silk and baking paper let the car race like a champ—low friction!
• Slow-mo alert 🐢 Bubble wrap and foam made the car crawl—high friction.
• Middle of the road ✨ Cotton and tissue paper gave the car a gentle push—medium friction.

This hands-on experiment showed that friction is everywhere—and it really matters! From riding bikes to sliding books, friction is the invisible force shaping our everyday world.

Lesson learned: Even tiny forces can make a big difference. Who knew physics could be this fun?

Friction Leader board: Who Wins the Race?

Science takeaway: The smoother the surface, the faster the car zooms! Friction is the invisible force slowing things down—or helping us stay in control.

Arpita Kapoor