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The snowflakes are hung, lights twinkle on the tree, and—most importantly—the Yule Slide is ready to ride! Each year, families wait in anticipation for this favorite Indianapolis tradition. This year, we’re giving you tips on how to make your Yule Slide ride even faster! In this week’s Saturday Science, courtesy of Creative Family Fun, discover which surfaces slide best.
Materials
- Large sheet pan
- Water
- Freezer
- A few small objects with varying roughness (e.g. a cotton ball, a milk jug caps, a rock)
- Piece of printer paper
- Pencil or pen
Process
- Add water to a large sheet pan.
- Carefully place it in the freezer, and allow the water to freeze completely.
- While the water freezes, fold the piece of paper in half. On one side, make your predictions. Will each object slide or not slide?
- Take the pan out of the freezer, and place it on a table to begin the experiment.
- Slide your small objects across the tray of ice.
- Which objects slide the best? Record your findings on the other side of your piece of paper. How do your results compare to your predictions?
Summary
Did your smooth objects slide better than your rough objects? This is because smooth objects have less friction. Friction is a force that resists movement of two solid objects. Because your smooth objects have less friction they create less resistance when they slide across the ice. When you slide down the Yule Slide during Jolly Days, be sure to choose an outfit that is made out of a soft material and doesn’t have too many zippers. With less friction, your next ride down the Yule Slide will be the fastest one yet!
Want more Saturday Science? See all of our at-home activities on the blog or on Pinterest.
