Book 3, Question 112
Why Does a Swing Go Higher If You Pump?
Pumping is a timing trick. By moving your body at the right moments, you add a little push on every pass, and the arc grows. Lean back and kick your legs out as you swing forward, and sit up as you swing back.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 3
More fun facts
- Pushing or pumping a swing works best when it is timed just right.
- The first pump starts the swing moving. Each pump after that, at the right moment, makes it go a little higher.
- Every swing has its own natural rhythm for going back and forth.
- When your pumps match that rhythm, small pushes can build into very big swings. Scientists call this resonance.
- A sitting rider swings their legs out at the high point and pulls them in on the way down.
- Physicists found that sitting and pumping works better for small swings, but standing and pumping works better for going really high.
Sources: Exploratorium, Smithsonian Magazine, Exploratorium
Questions kids ask
Is it better to swing sitting or standing?
Physicists found sitting works better for small swings, while standing works better if you want to go really high.