We started our experiment by placing rubber bands around the
middle of a watermelon. The kids helped to count the rubber bands as the staff
stretched them around the watermelon. We started out placing five rubber bands
at a time and were able to practice counting by 5s (to sneak in a little math). After 200 rubber bands were
on, we began placing the rubber bands by the 10s. After we hit 500 rubber
bands, we had to go back inside and look for more!
As the experiment continued, the watermelon began to ooze
bubbles and juice out of where the stem had originally connected the watermelon
to the plant.
Then the watermelon began to crack slowly, and as we placed
the 558th rubber band on the watermelon, it popped! Watermelon
showered everywhere like rain and the pieces ranged from baseball sized pieces
to mist.
Rubber bands are great examples of potential vs. kinetic energy. When they are stretched, they are full of lots of potential energy (stored energy). When they snap back, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy (energy in motion), and... boom! Watermelon shower!
The kids really enjoyed this experiment and thanked Ryan for
sharing it with the community. Next time we
want to try different sized watermelons and see how the watermelon size affects
the number of rubber bands needed.
By Erik Wolf
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