Why does a ball on a string fly off the second you let go?
Swinging a conker/yo-yo or a bucket of water on a rope, or letting go of a playground merry-go-round / a sled swung in a circle — and the classic "hammer throw / discus" at sports day: the athlete spins then releases and it flies off sideways, not straight out. Wet-dog shake or spin-drying salad also land the "things fly off a spinning thing" feeling.
Talk about it
- Point the way you think the ball will fly before we cut the string, then see if you were right.
- Why does your hand have to keep pulling the whole time the ball spins?
- A hammer thrower spins and lets go — which way does the hammer fly? Guess, then act it out.