Springs store a push — Engineering, 4–6 years
A spring can be squashed or stretched and then push back. This lets a thing store movement for a short time and release it later.
A spring pushes back
When you squash or stretch a spring, you change its shape. The spring tries to return to its old shape, so it pushes or pulls back. It can hold this stored push until something lets it move again.
Why use springs?
People needed a gentle push that could be ready before it was needed. A spring solves this by storing a push when it is pressed or stretched, then releasing it later. Springs can also soften a sudden bump instead of passing all the movement straight through.
A spring in a pen
Look at a click pen with a spring inside. First, press the top: the spring becomes about 2 centimetres shorter and stores a push. Next, release the top: the spring lengthens again and pushes the ink tube down. Pressing a second time catches the tube back inside, ready for another click.
A spring does not make energy
It can seem as if a spring makes movement from nothing, because it pushes after your hand has stopped. In fact, your hand gave it energy when you pressed or stretched it. The spring only stores that energy for a while and gives some of it back.
Springs around us
A click pen uses a spring to move its ink tube in and out. A trampoline uses many springs to push a jumper upwards after the mat is pulled down. Cars and bicycles can also use springs to soften bumps, so the ride is less shaky.
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