How to Make an Easy Physics Simulation for Kids

A simple tool for a physics simulation

Learning physics can be a real chore whether you're young or old. It's hard for children to visualize how physics applies to their life of video games and television, but using something as simple as an egg can help. Plus, with this little science experiment, kids will get a chance to use their creativity and imagination.

Things You'll Need

• Eggs

Instructions

1. Explain to the class that this physics simulation is a class contest. The goal is design a capsule that will keep an egg from breaking when it is dropped from an elevated surface.

2. Establish rules and dimensions for the contest simulation. For example, one rule might be that the egg capsule can be no bigger than the size of a shoebox or that a shoebox must be used as the outer egg capsule. The students can wrap and pad the egg in toilet paper, foam or anything else, but everything must fit in the shoebox. They can enclose the shoebox with tape, but you must be able to check the egg after the drop.

3. Toss the egg capsule from an elevated platform or surface that will provide enough speed and distance to check the integrity of the egg capsule and ensure that the simulation teaches velocity and acceleration.

4. Give extra credit if the egg survives its free fall. Since every student will make her own egg capsule, offering extra credit should bring out everyone's best work.

References

• Docstoc.com: Egg Drop Lab