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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Easy Inertia Experiment

    Easy Inertia Experiment

    May 29, 2020 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    This inertia experiment is super easy and a great fun science trick for kids and adults!

    If you want to learn more about Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion or forces in general I’ve got lots more forces and motion experiments you can try!

    Easy experiment about Newton's first Law or the Law of Inertia - fun forces investigation for kids #scienceforkids #forcesexperiments

    What is inertia?

    Isaac Newton’s First Law states that an object stays still or keeps moving at the same speed and in a straight line unless it is acted upon by a force.

    In simple terms that means if an object isn’t moving ( imagine a book on the floor ) it won’t start to move unless a force makes it move ( for example, if you push the book ).

    Isaac Newton’s First Law is known as the Law of Inertia.

    Easy Inertia Experiment

    You’ll need:

    Card folded into a triangle column and taped securely.

    Piece of card – A5 size

    Small object that is big enough to sit on top of the column.

    Pint glass

    Inertia lemon drop experiment

    Inertia Experiment Instructions

    Place the A5 sheet of card on top of the pint glass.

    Carefully put the triangular column on the card.

    Balance the lemon on top of the column, it needs to be directly above the glass.

    Hold the glass with one hand and then quickly pull the A5 card with the other hand.

    The lemon should drop into the glass!

    inertia experiment

    Why does this work?

    The lemon is heavier than the cardboard column which means it doesn’t move as easily as the column when the cardboard is pulled from underneath.

    There isn’t a sideways force acting on the lemon so it falls straight down because of gravity.

    Newton’s First Law states that an object at rest remains at rest unless acted on by a force.

    More Forces Experiments for Kids

    Design, build and launch a water powered bottle rocket!

    Bottle Rocket from This IS Rocket Science

    Learn about potential energy with a cotton reel car or make a balloon powered car.

    Learn more about Newton’s Laws of Motion and how they apply to space travel in my book, This IS Rocket Science!

    This IS Rocket Science

    Affiliate links

    Last Updated on May 29, 2020 by Emma Vanstone

    « How to grow sugar crystals
    Ideas For Learning About Forces and Motion »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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