Book 1, Question 115 · Video
How Does a Zipper Work? Teeth, Tape and a Sneaky Slider!
A zipper is a clever machine with just a few parts. Each side has a row of teeth, and the slider wedges the teeth together as you pull it up. Pull it the other way and the wedge sp
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How does a zipper work?
The Big Idea
A zipper is a clever little machine. It uses a sliding wedge to lock two rows of teeth together, or to split them apart. Zip! Zip! Let's see how it works.
Rows of Teeth
Step one: each side has a row of teeth. The teeth are sewn onto strips of fabric called tape. Every tooth has a little bump on top, and a little dip underneath, so they can nest together like spoons in a drawer.
Slider Closes
Step two: the slider wedges the teeth together. Inside the slider is a Y-shaped tunnel. As you pull it up, the tunnel squeezes the two rows toward each other at an angle. Each bump pops into the dip of the tooth next to it, and the teeth lock tight.
Wedge Splits
Step three: pull the other way, and the wedge splits them. A little wedge at the top of the slider pushes between the locked teeth. It pries them apart, one pair at a time, and the zipper opens.
A Closer Look
Let's take a big zipper close-up! The teeth are the little bumps that lock together. The tape is the fabric strip that holds the teeth. The slider is the moving part that pulls the teeth together, or apart. And the pull tab is what you hold to move the slider.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! One crooked tooth can jam the whole line. The modern zipper was invented more than one hundred years ago, in nineteen thirteen. It got the name zipper from the zippy sound it makes! Zippers are on jackets, bags, tents, and even space suits.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Find a jacket or bag with a big zipper. Zip it very slowly, and watch the teeth lock together. Now unzip it slowly. Can you see the wedge splitting the teeth apart? Try closing it without the slider, just with your fingers. Is it hard?
Outro
So a zipper is just rows of tiny teeth and one clever wedge, working together every time you zip! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!