A Wonderleaf question
How does a lock and key work?
a real page from the book
A lock opens when the right key lifts a set of hidden pins to the correct heights. With those pins lined up, the inner cylinder can turn. That turning moves the bolt back, which lets the door swing open.
A wrong key may look close, but even one bump cut too high or low leaves a pin blocking the turn. That is why many keys can enter a lock, while only the matching pattern makes the click happen.
Wonder words
- key
- pins
- cylinder
- bolt
Try it out
Look at two keys side by side and compare the hills and valleys along their edges.
Read the whole picture book
Watercolour scenes, straight answers, about three minutes cover to cover.
Open the picture bookKeep wondering
- How does a car engine make a car move?
- How does Velcro stick and unstick?
- How does a ballpoint pen draw ink?
- How does a pencil write?
And the next question?
Ask anything — Wonderleaf writes and illustrates a picture book for it. That's the whole idea.
Ask your own question