If you turn a bucket with water in it upside down, the water will pour out, right? In this experiment, I will show you a way to keep the water in the bucket as it turns over!
(Do this experiment outdoors just in case you spill some water!)
Materials:
A small plastic pail or bucket with a secure handle
Water
Procedure:
- Before you add any water to the pail, you should practice the motion you’re going to use. Hold the bucket in one hand down by your side. With one BIG motion, you’re going to swing the bucket in a complete circle over your head and come back to the point you started. Don’t slow down, don’t change directions… just one big circular motion (look at the images to help)
- Now you’re ready! Pour some water into the pail. You probably want to start this with a little bit in there. Way less than half full. After you get the hang of it you can add more water…
- Make sure you do this outdoors just in case you spill any water!
- Now do the full motion with the bucket, swinging it in a full circle over your head right back to where you started. All the water stays right in the bucket!
Explanation:
Have you ever been in a vehicle that turns around a corner really quickly? How did that feel? You got pushed the opposite way that the car turned through a force called “centrifugal force.” If you’ve ever been on a roller coaster that goes upside down, the reason you don’t fall out is also because of this force (your seat belts help, too!).
Normally, when you turn a bucket over, gravity is the force that pulls the water out. But, when you swing the bucket around in a big circle, the water has more centrifugal force than gravity at the moment. The water is “pushed” upward, so instead of falling down, the water stays snug inside the bucket. Cool!
Going further:
Try this with a little more water if you want a challenge. Or try to spin the bucket around multiple times. (Make sure the handle is on there good, or it might fly off!).
If you don’t mind getting a little wet, you can move the bucket around in a slower circle to see just where gravity is stronger than centrifugal force. You will get wet!
LOOKING FOR MORE science experiments? Find them here!
About the author:
Steve Davala has been teaching math and science to middle and high schoolers since 2000. He writes books, plays music, carves wood and he loves learning new things. Ask him a question at steve.davala@gmail.com.
