Simple Machines: Conveyer Belt

Experiment Aim

This experiment will help your child to learn about pulleys, belts and friction.

Equipment You Will Need

• A shallow cardboard box such as a tissue box or juice carton.
• scissors
• elastic bands
• 2 x craft dowel or pencils
• Sheet of paper

What you need to do

1. Cut the top off your box (one of the largest sides) so it lies flat and looks a bit like like a tray.

2. Put 4 holes (or 6 if you are using 3 dowels) in your box (a pair at each end) and push your dowels through.

3. Wrap elastic bands around each end of your two (or more) dowel rods so the elastic bands are inside the box. (This creates more friction and helps the belt to grip).

4. Cut a strip of paper or fabric that is long enough to create a belt to go around your two rollers.

5. Wrap your belt around your rollers and secure with tape, making it as tight as possible.

6. Test it out! Turn the dowel rods where they poke outside the box and see if the belt moves properly.

7. This simple design can be developed in different ways – try adding more rollers, or rollers with a larger circumference. Try different papers for your belt. How do different textures affect the friction. Can you make a giant version using a large box and bamboo canes?

Why this works

Friction, pulleys and belts.

What is friction?

Friction is a force between two surfaces that are sliding, or trying to slide, across each other. Our fingerprints work in the same way to help us grip things.

What is a pulley?

A pulley is a wheel on an axle or shaft that is designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable or belt, or to transfer power between the shaft and a cable or belt.

What happens?

As the wheels begin to turn, the belt also turns or moves. This is down to friction between the belt and the rotors (your elastic bands). The rotors lead to the belt moving in one direction on the top surface, and in the opposite direction on the lower side.

We love to see what you've made! Share your creation with the world on social media using #explorewithSWM.