Explore Friction on a Ramp

Explore Friction on a Ramp

One part of physics that affects everything you do is friction! Friction is a force that occurs when two surfaces rub against each other. Smoother surfaces generate less friction, while rough or bumpy surfaces generate more friction. Check it out!
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Build the Best Swimmer

Build the Best Swimmer

From Gravity

Discover how the connection between swimming and gravity!

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Magnetic Field Viewer

Magnetic Field Viewer

From Electricity

You can see magnetic fields in action with this easy-to-make viewer.

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Build a Craft Stick Catapult

Build a Craft Stick Catapult

From Engines!

Ancient armies used catapults in battle. But the catapult has been used as recently as World War I. In that war, soldiers used catapults to toss hand grenades at the enemy. Today, catapults are used to launch planes off the decks of huge ships called aircraft carriers. Because the runway is short on an aircraft carrier, the catapult helps get the plane into the air quickly. Try making your own!

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Launch!

Launch!

From Fairground Physics

Most older roller coasters are pulled up that first hill. However, some newer coasters have pneumatic launch systems. That means a shot of compressed air launches the coaster up the hill. We’re going to build a simple version of that with a straw that you blow through.

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Reviews

“One of the best ways to get kids excited about STEM is to show them how every aspect of daily life is intrinsically connected to science and technology. The reliable Inquire and Investigate series takes on this task by offering titles brimming with information...”
-Booklist Series Nonfiction Showcase

"After reading this three volume set from Nomad Press I understand how the scarecrow felt after getting his brain. I’m a lot smarter and it was fun getting there!"
-Greg Pattridge, Always in the Middle

Detailed Book Description

Why are you able to jump higher from a trampoline than from the ground? What forces are at work when you do an ollie on a skateboard?

The answer is: physics! In The Physics of Fun, kids ages 12 to 15 explore the science behind awesome activities that kids love. From Newton’s laws of motion to the behavior of electrons, the science of physics is an integral part of any amusement park, play center, video arcade, or home gaming center.

Links to online media, discussion questions, and career connections offer middle schoolers the chance to do some real, hands-on science around fun activities they already enjoy!

Try these STEM activities!

  • Use a skateboard to demonstrate inertia
  • Investigate the transfer and conservation of energy on a trampoline
  • Build a guitar to explore sound waves
Available In:
Paperback, $17.95
9781647410346
Hardcover, $22.95
9781647410315
Includes: Table of Contents | Timeline | Glossary | Resources | Index | Metric Conversions Chart
Specs: 8x10 size | 4-color | 128 pages
Subject: Science
Content Focus: Physical Science | Physics

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Timeline

Introduction
The World Runs on Science

Chapter 1
Forces of Skateboarding

Chapter 2
Motion and Energy of Snowboarding

Chapter 3
Spring of a Trampoline

Chapter 4
Form a Band: Waves of Sound and Light

Chapter 5
Video Game Sparks: Electricity

Glossary
Metric Conversions
Resources
Essential Questions
Index