======Inertia Hat======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
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**Alternative titles:** Newton's Inertia Hat
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====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}



====Procedure====  
 - Use wire cutters to remove the hook from a wire coat hanger.
  - Bend the hanger into the shape of the letter “M,” ensuring the center point of the “M” is sharp and well-defined.
  - Slightly bend the bottom ends of the “M” upward so they can hold zip ties securely.
  - Tape a tennis ball to each end of the “M,” ensuring both balls are the same size and hang below the center point.
  - Place the point of the “M” on the top center of your head to balance the hat.
  - Spin yourself around while keeping the tennis balls still, or spin the tennis balls around your head while you remain still.
  - Observe how inertia keeps the tennis balls in place until friction or another force slows them down.



====Links==== 
Inertia Hat (Newton's 1st law) - Kids Fun Science: 
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📄 Inertia Hat - Morning Science: [[https://www.astronaut.org/wp-content/uploads/WABI-segment_Challenger_October-10-2016.pdf]]\\

====Variations====
  * Try spinning at different speeds to see how long the balls stay still or in motion.
  * Use lightweight balls of different sizes to compare inertia.
  * Balance the hat on a smooth surface (like a bottle) instead of your head to reduce friction and prolong motion.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Use caution with wire cutters to avoid injury.
  * Ensure wire ends are smooth or taped to prevent scratching the head.
  * Spin slowly to avoid dizziness or loss of balance.
  * Use lightweight objects like tennis balls instead of harder items.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why do the tennis balls stay at rest even when you spin your body?
  * What eventually causes the balls to stop spinning?
  * How does this model show Newton’s First Law of Motion (inertia)?
  * How does friction between the wire and your head affect the demonstration?