Finnegan Force:Adventures with

Friction

By Emily Schmitz

There once was a boy named Finnegan ForceWho loved to play outside.

He was always seeking adventuresWith his puppy by his side.

Finn loved the seasons; spring, summer and fall,He enjoyed the beauty of them all.

But he spent winter with much hate, For Finn lived in Michigan, one of the snowiest states.

He found winter to halt his fun,Because he disliked the cold and longed for the sun.

But one day his mom said with a smile, “Finn, why don’t you play outside for awhile?”

Finnegan nodded his headAnd whistled for his dog Scout.

He was itching to find excitement,So he bundled up and the two headed out.

The air was bitter coldAs expected for Michigan weather

So Finn took off his glovesAnd rubbed his hands together.

The harder he pressed his hands,The warmer they started to be.Finn didn’t realize why or how

He was actually producing heat.

Finn decided it was bestTo investigate this traction

And then he suddenly realizedIt was none other than friction!

Friction is the forceBetween two things that rub together.

It also slows things downOr stops movement all together.

When Finn rubbed his hands togetherHe could very plainly see

That he was converting kinetic energy Of that motion into heat.

As Finn and Scout continuedThey decided it would be good

To look for other cases of frictionAround the neighborhood.

Finn watched as a carStopped at the big red sign

And then he began to wonderIf friction was evident this time.

Without friction,Cars could not stop or go.

When the driver applies the brakes,The wheels start to slow.

The friction between the tire surface And the break pads slow the wheels,

While the friction between the wheelsAnd the road slows the car.

Finn was satisfied With two examples of science fun

That is a fact, not friction(Please pardon the pun!)

Finn turned the corner and saw,(After he stopped to think)

That the neighbor’s fishing pondWas now a beautiful skating rink.

Finn noticed his friend Miranda Skating with ease and grace

Scout barked in greeting,Bringing a smile to her face.

Ice skating works Because the narrow blade of the skateCauses very high pressure underneath

As it supports the skater’s weight.

A thin layer of water is createdAnd it lubricates the blade

The skater can glide with little frictionOver the ice that had been made.

Finn waved goodbye to Miranda,And trudged for home in the snow

He was excited that his day was filledWith discoveries he didn’t previously know.

Finnegan realized that winter,Without the warmth of the sun,

Still had adventures to offerIncluding science fun!

The End