The laws of physics

May the force be with you!

Once upon a time, a famous scientist was sleeping under a tree and an apple fell on his head. Instead of crying out, « Ouch! » he said, « Hmm, this gives me an idea! » Your great physicists will fight against gravity and show off their skills in four construction workshops. They will learn about the concepts of converting potential energy into kinetic energy and damping, as well as the different types of simple machines (lever, inclined plane, pulley, winch, screw, gear, and wedge). Who knows? We may have another Isaac Newton hidden in our group of physicists.

 On the menu:

1) Kinetic energy (60 min)

2) Simple machines (60 min)

3) Egg drop parachute (60 min)

4) Catapult (60 min)

Objectives at the elementary level:

• Acquire a few concepts on the history of science (Einstein, Galileo, Newton, Edison and Franklin).
• Describe energy transformations from one of its form into another (potential energy into kinetic energy).
• Describe and experiment on the effects of gravity when an egg in plastic is dropped.
• Identify and recognize the use of simple machines (lever, inclined plane, screw, pulley, winch and wheel).
• Use measuring instruments (dynamometer).
• Understand the different components in light (photon, colour, speed and wave).
• Distinguish between the concepts of mass and weight.
• Build a simple electric circuit with the following components: wire, power source, lightbulb and switch.