How Do Pinball Flippers Flick the Ball?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do pinball flippers flick the ball?

The Big Idea

Press the button on a pinball machine, and the flipper snaps up in a flash. Inside, an electromagnet is hard at work, even though you cannot see it. Let's find out how a flipper whacks the ball so fast, and how it gets ready for the next shot.

Press the Button

Step one: press the button. When you press a flipper button, electricity flows through a coil of wire inside the machine. The coil acts as an electromagnet.

The Flipper Snaps Up

Step two: the flipper snaps up. The electromagnet pulls a metal rod, which snaps the flipper up. That quick pull is what whacks the ball back up the table.

Let Go

Step three: let go. When you release the button, the electricity stops. A spring brings the flipper back down, ready for the next shot.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! You press the button. The coil pulls a rod. The flipper snaps up. A spring brings it back down.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Pinball bumpers use electromagnets too. Springs reset the flipper every time. A coil pulls in a split second. Timing is the secret to a great shot.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Press the flipper on a toy game. Watch the movement slowly. Draw the lever and the spring. Show your drawing to a grown-up. Write down what you notice, and share it with a grown-up.

Outro

A pinball flipper snaps up when an electromagnet pulls a rod, and a spring brings it back down. Science is amazing! Keep asking questions! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!