How does a Slinky fall down stairs?

How does a Slinky fall down stairs?

The Slinky, like all objects, tends to resist change in its motion. But once it is started down the stairs and gravity affects it, the potential energy is converted to the energy of motion or kinetic energy and the Slinky gracefully tumbles coil by coil down the stairs.

Does Slinky work on carpet?

Over the years only two changes have occurred to the Original Slinky. Below is what you need to make the Slinky walk. 1) Steps cannot have carpet on them and they have to be 7 5/8 -8” deep. 2) A ramp can also be used 4′ long and 10” high.

How does a Slinky move?

As the Slinky moves down the steps, kinetic energy transfers from coil to coil in a longitudinal wave. The speed of the wave depends on the tension and mass of the coil. The smaller the mass, the tighter the tension, the faster energy is transferred, the faster energy moves through the Slinky.

Why won’t my Slinky walk down the stairs?

Gravity begins to provide this force, as soon as the Slinky is cast down a stairway. This motion is sustained through a directional wave that ricochets throughout the coil and stops when the toy hits the bottom of the stairs. Contrary to how it looks, the Slinky doesn’t walk, it somersaults.

Do they still make Slinkys?

Although the Slinky company is now owned by Alex Brands Inc. of Fairfield, N.J., Slinkys are still made at the Hollidaysburg factory, near Altoona, on the same machine Richard James invented. More than 360 million Slinkys have been sold since they hit the market in 1945, Diani said.

Are Slinkys made of metal?

It is composed of high carbon steel and coated for durability. The plastic is also purchased from a supplier and then forced through an extruder to form long thin strands. Some of the slinky toys have animal heads and tails attached to either end.

Can Slinky walk floor?

This process is possible because of gravity and the Slinky’s own momentum. In this way a Slinky can walk down other surfaces, too, such as an inclined plane, which is a type of sloping surface that you will use in this activity.

In what direction will you move a Slinky to create longitudinal waves?

A longitudinal wave can be created in a slinky if the slinky is stretched out in a horizontal direction and the first coils of the slinky are vibrated horizontally. In such a case, each individual coil of the medium is set into vibrational motion in directions parallel to the direction that the energy is transported.

How does the slinky walk down the stairs?

So how does the Slinky “walk” down a flight of stairs? To do this, the Slinky slowly flips end over end. If you watch closely, you’ll see it stretches to reach the next step down, reforms itself,…

What kind of tricks can a slinky do?

Slinkys were a hit. The Slinky can perform a number of tricks. It stretches and reforms itself with the help of gravity. A Slinky will stay at rest without moving at all if placed on the floor or at the top of the stairs due to the resistance to change in its motion.

Why does a slinky stay at rest on the floor?

A Slinky will stay at rest without moving at all if placed on the floor or at the top of the stairs due to the resistance to change in its motion. But we notice that once it has started to fall down the stairs, gravity affects it.

How big of a surface can a slinky walk on?

This process is possible because of gravity and the Slinky’s own momentum. In this way a Slinky can walk down other surfaces, too, such as an inclined plane, which is a type of sloping surface that you will use in this activity. • A sheet of plywood. Try to find one that’s about two feet long by one foot wide, at least.