Data Sheet

ManualsBrandsE-Blox ManualsE-Blox KitsE-Blox Circuit Builder 72 Set

-47-

70. Inertia

Build the circuit as shown on the left. If

you turn the hand crank generator (94 &

99), you will light up the lamp (76) and the

bi-directional LED (71) at the same time. If

you turn on the switch (62), you will light up

the heart LED (69).

Try removing the hand crank (94) from the

generator (99). Note that when you turn the

switch (62) on, the generator (99) shaft may

start spinning, but sometimes you need to

start it spinning with your nger and then it

continues spinning. This demonstrates the

concept of Inertia: a property of matter by

which it continues in its existing state of rest

or uniform motion in a straight line, unless

that state is changed by an external force.

The generator has inertia because when it’s

at rest, it tends to stay at rest (the current

running through the magnetic eld inside the

generator (99) does not create quite enough

force to spin the shaft), but once enough force

is applied to the shaft when your nger starts it

spinning, then the shaft tends to stay spinning

(the current running through the magnetic

eld inside the generator (99) does create

enough force to keep the shaft spinning).