Technology can move things — Technology, 4–6 years
Some technology helps people move objects or travel by using pushes, wheels, gears or motors.
What movement technology does
Technology can help something roll, turn, lift or travel instead of staying still. Wheels make rolling easier, gears pass turning from one part to another, and a motor can keep a part turning. A push, a pull or stored energy starts the movement.
Why make things move?
People needed to carry heavy things and travel farther without using all their strength. Long ago, rolling logs helped move heavy loads; later, wheels, carts and engines made this easier. Movement technology solves the problem of getting something from here to there.
A toy car on a ramp
Put a toy car at the top of a small ramp. First, let go without pushing: gravity pulls it down, and its wheels roll. Next, place a block in front of one wheel; the car stops because the wheel cannot turn. Remove the block and it moves again.
A wheel does not move by itself
It is easy to think that adding wheels will make anything move. Wheels reduce rubbing, but something still has to push them, pull them or turn them with a motor. This is a reasonable mistake because wheels look ready to travel, even when no force is acting on them.
Movement around us
A bicycle uses your legs to turn pedals, gears and wheels. A shopping trolley uses wheels so you can push a heavy basket more easily. A lift uses a motor and other parts to move people up or down. In each case, parts help transfer movement.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…