Launch it into the bowl
You will use a spoon to send soft paper towards a bowl. A larger push can overshoot, so the goal is a controlled landing rather than the biggest launch.
- Build
- Explorer
- About 15 minutes
Grown-up needed: yes for setup, nearby supervision and clearing spills or loose pieces
What you need
- A spoon
- Small scrunched paper balls
- A plastic bowl
- A folded cloth for a low pivot
The rule
Soft things only.
How to do it
- Set the plastic bowl a short distance away on a clear table.
- Rest the spoon across the low folded cloth.
- Place a small soft paper ball in the spoon bowl.
- Press the other end gently to tip the bowl end upwards.
- Record whether the paper lands short, inside or beyond the target.
- Adjust one small feature before making another gentle attempt.
Why it works
A lever turns around a support point called a pivot. When you press one end of the spoon, the other end moves in the opposite direction. Its distance from the pivot affects how far it moves for the same turn. Once the paper leaves, gravity bends its path downwards. A stronger launch may travel further, but angle and release also matter. Keeping the target fixed lets you compare changes to the spoon’s starting position.
Make it harder
- Move the target slightly further away.
- Make a slightly larger soft paper ball.
- Land three gentle launches inside without moving the target.
Ask Taz
- Why does pressing one end lift the other?
- Why does moving the pivot change the launch?
- Why does the paper fall after moving upwards?
For grown-ups
Use soft paper only and choose a clear direction away from faces, pets and breakable things. A grown-up can help position the spoon without increasing force. Compare short and long landings rather than praise power. Ask at dinner: “Would you change the push or the angle to reach the bowl more reliably?”
Taz is an AI and can be wrong, so stay close by. Read how safety works on Taz.
Show us yours
Film your hands and what you made, not your face or name. Ask a grown-up before posting anywhere else.
Questions parents ask
Do we need special equipment?
Use the household items listed above. Begin with a small attempt on a clear surface before trying any harder version. The listed time is an estimate, so leave room to rebuild or repeat without rushing.
What if the first attempt does not work?
Notice where the result first changed. Alter one feature, keep the rest similar and try again. An unsuccessful attempt can still give you a useful question.
Do we have to post the result?
No. You can show it to a grown-up at home. Online sharing is optional and needs the permissions in the privacy line above.
More to try
See all Taz Challenges, or look through the science labs. One place for every why. Ask for early access at aitaz.com
Try it in 3D: Projectile motion.