Grades K–2 · Everyday Life
How do broom bristles move dust across a floor?
A broom has many narrow bristles attached to a head. When the head moves across a floor, the tips touch loose dust and crumbs in its path.
In the diagramMany flexible tips push loose piecesbristles bendgathered crumbs
The bristles push the pieces along. They can bend a little instead of acting like one solid wall. Many tips reach across a wide strip of floor at the same time.
Repeated sweeps can gather scattered pieces into a smaller area where they can be picked up. The dirt has moved; it has not vanished. Softer and stiffer bristles suit different surfaces and kinds of dirt.
About this explanation
Starting knowledge: Recognize a broom and loose dirt on a solid floor.
Sources
- Gordon Brush — Push and Floor Brooms