Description
A jacobs ladder consists of a series of wooden blocks all connected by two flat ribbons. It’s all about kinetic energy transfer and can be quite tricky for kids to explain what is going on!
- Hold the top block on thin sides of the block.
- Turn the top block 180 degrees. This will cause the second block down to flip 180 degrees as well and tumble downwards.
- This causes the next block down to flip.
- … and then the next one
- … and then the next one
- … and so on until the energy reaches the last block.
As long as you don’t get your fingers in the way of the moving blocks, the toy will work perfectly.
Teaching ideas for a Jacobs ladder
- Do a slow-motion capture of the toy’s movement and get kids to describe what is happening.
- Discuss the differences between potential and kinetic energy.
- Have races between the students, is there any way to speed up the falling of the blocks?
- What happens if you tape a coin on different locations of the jacobs ladder. Does this change in balance affect the movement?
- A jacobs ladder is also handy for using as a visual model for sound transfer too.
School science visit that complements this science resource
I just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!
-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big FunThanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.
-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big FunFizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.
-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun DayFizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.
-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big FunI just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!
-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big FunThanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.
-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big FunFizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.
-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun DayFizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.
-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big Fun