Sixth Grade, Physics Science Experiments (Page 22)

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Science Buddies has many projects where you build something with moving parts or do an experiment with the physics of moving objects. Here are just a few examples, but this is not an exhaustive list! You can search our site to find many more. Ball launcher (Figure 1) Marble roller coaster (Figure 2) Rube Goldberg machine (Figure 3) Build A Wall Marble Run (Figure 4) Figure 1. A catapult-style ball launcher. … Read more

Theme Park Science with Jell-O® Loop-De-Loops

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Have you ever wondered what keeps you in your seat when you are riding a giant loop-de-loop roller coaster? Surprisingly, it is not the seat belt! You are kept in your seat because of something called centripetal force. Centripetal force actually does much more than make a ride on a roller coaster's loop possible — it keeps a satellite in orbit and you in your bicycle when taking a tight curve! In this science activity, you will use marbles and Jell-O® to investigate centripetal… Read more

Turn Soot into Silver

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You might have heard the saying “not everything is as it seems.” Something might look great from far away, but when you take a closer look, it might not turn out to be as beautiful as you thought! In this activity, you will create the opposite experience—you will turn a spoon blackened with soot into shiny silver. Even though it is only an illusion, you will not know it when you see it. Try it out for yourself! Read more

Use Surface Tension to Make Your Pepper Dance

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You are probably used to seeing things float, be it a boat on the water, or a rubber duck in your bathtub. But did you ever wonder how the same water that you drink, splash, and dive into – how can that support the weight of giant boats? In this activity we’ll learn about surface tension and how it helps us keep afloat! Read more

What Do You Hear Under Water?

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Have you ever wondered how fish hear the sounds we make when we splash into the water or pass by in a motorboat? Now that the summer vacation is here, you might be spending more time in the water: an ideal occasion to investigate how we hear in the water! Maybe you will feel inspired to research how that transfers to aquatic animals, too! Read more

What is the Cheapest Way to Launch Payloads into Space?

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

A mass driver is a proposed device that could launch payloads into space using a long tube lined with electromagnets (Figure 1). Some scientists argue that such a launch system would offer long-term cost savings over the use of chemical rockets. Scientists have proposed theoretical electromagnetic launcher designs as far back as the 1970s (O'Neill 1979). More recently, some have proposed the use of railguns originally developed for the U.S. Navy (McNab and McGlasson 2022). Other types of… Read more

What is the Maximum Intermediate Height for a Siphon?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

A siphon is a handy device for emptying out a liquid reservoir that has no drain. For example, they're great for cleaning fish tanks. An interesting aspect of a siphon in action is that the liquid flows "uphill" for a portion of its journey through the tube. This project asks the question, is there a maximum height for that uphill part of the siphon? Read more

When a Flashing Light Shows More

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Do you have to see it to believe it? You might want to rethink your strategy, as scientists now know that what we perceive can be different from what is really there. Our brain is quite clever in helping us interact with the world, but it can get fooled. Of course, you need to see this to believe this. Try this activity, and you will find out! Read more

Why Are Skis So Long?

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While watching the Olympic Winter Games, you might have wondered why skis, which are featured in several events, are so long. The skis used at the Olympics are of top-notch quality. Researchers tinker with every detail, from the materials they are made of to the shape they are cut in. The equipment is tested carefully, as details like these can give an athlete the leading edge on the slope. But why would you put planks under your shoes in the first place? Do this activity to find out! … Read more

Fancy Foams with Shampoo Science

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Do you like your hair shiny and beautiful? The key to keeping your hair nice and clean is to use a good shampoo. But what exactly makes a good shampoo? You might be surprised to hear that every new shampoo has to pass lots of scientific tests before it is considered good enough to be sold. Many different shampoo recipes are compared to decide which one is the best for the consumer. One of these tests assesses the foaming behavior of the shampoo. You probably trust a shampoo that makes lots of… Read more

Sixth Grade, Physics Science Experiments (223 results)

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