Zoom! Friction in Action!
Viewbank College
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?
| 🏆 Rank | Surface | Friction Level | Fun Speed Emoji |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silk | Low | ⚡💨 |
| 1 | Baking Paper | Low | ⚡💨 |
| 2 | Cotton | Medium | 🏃♂️💨 |
| 2 | Tissue Paper | Medium | 🏃♂️💨 |
| 3 | Bubble Wrap | High | 🐢 |
| 3 | Foam | High | 🐢 |
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