Hooked on Science: Science at the pump

Did you know you can save more than 10 cents per gallon by using science?

Materials

* Bicycle

Instructions

STEP 1: Make sure both tires are properly inflated and ride the bicycle.

STEP 2: Let half the air out of both tires and ride the bicycle, again.

Explanation

You had to work harder to peddle your bicycle with half the air out of the tires because of the friction created between the tire and the surface of the road. Did you know you can save up to $0.11 a gallon of fuel by keeping your tires properly inflated on your vehicle? Just like the underinflated bicycle tires, when the tires on your vehicle are underinflated, they experience more friction with the road. This extra friction means your engine has to work harder, which means you use more fuel. The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found in your owner's manual.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website www.hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments.