1. Compression: When you push down on the car, you compress the spring inside. This action stores potential energy within the spring. Think of it like stretching a rubber band – the more you stretch it, the more energy it stores.
2. Release: When you release the car, the compressed spring expands, converting its potential energy into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. This causes the car to move forward.
3. Friction: The car's motion will eventually be slowed down by friction from the wheels and the surface it's moving on. This friction converts the kinetic energy back into heat energy, which dissipates into the environment.
Essentially, a toy push-down car uses a spring to temporarily store mechanical energy and then release it to power its movement.
