Attack of the straws

　　What you’ll need<25D8> A raw potato<25D8> One or more paper straws<25D8> Your science journal*

　　What to do

　　Put a potato on the table and hold it firmly with one hand, making sure the palm* of your hand is not underneath the potato.* With a fast, strong push, stab* the potato with the straw. What happens? Did the straw bend? The straw should go into the potato. If it didn’t, try again with another straw — maybe a little faster or harder. ****If the potato is old, soak* it in water for about half an hour before trying this activity. An object remains at rest* (the potato, in this case) or keeps moving (the straw, in this case) unless it is acted upon by some external force*.

　　(SD-Agencies)(Difficulty: junior)

　　Can a paper straw* go through a raw* potato? Here’s an easy way to learn about inertia* and momentum*.