Pedal facts for kids

A pedal is a part of a machine that you push with your foot to make it work. The word "pedal" comes from the Latin word pedalis, which means "of the foot." Pedals are a simple but very important invention. They help us control many different machines and devices. You might use pedals every day without even thinking about them!

What is a Pedal?

A pedal is a lever that you operate with your foot. When you push down on a pedal, it transfers the force from your foot to another part of the machine. This force can make something move, stop, or change how it works. Pedals are designed to be easy to use. They let you control machines while keeping your hands free for other tasks. This makes them very useful in many situations.

Pedals in Transportation

Pedals are essential for many ways we travel. They help us move vehicles and control their speed.

Bicycle Pedals

One of the most common places you see pedals is on a bicycle. When you push the pedals of a bike, you turn a chain. This chain then turns the wheels, making the bicycle move forward. Bicycle pedals allow you to control your speed and power. They are a great way to get exercise and travel around.

Car Pedals

Cars use several different pedals to help the driver control the vehicle.

• The accelerator pedal (or gas pedal) makes the car go faster. When you push it, more fuel goes to the engine.
• The brake pedal slows the car down or stops it. Pushing this pedal activates the car's braking system.
• Some cars, especially older ones, also have a clutch pedal. This pedal helps the driver change gears smoothly. It temporarily disconnects the engine from the wheels.

Other Vehicles

You can also find pedals in other types of vehicles. Some small boats have pedals to turn a propeller. Certain types of aircraft, like gliders, use rudder pedals to control the direction of the plane. Even some types of heavy machinery use pedals for control.

Pedals in Music

Pedals are very important for many musical instruments. They allow musicians to change the sound or play different notes.

Piano Pedals

Most pianos have three pedals at the bottom.

• The sustain pedal (on the right) lets notes ring out longer. It lifts the dampers off the strings.
• The soft pedal (on the left) makes the sound quieter. It shifts the hammers or changes how they hit the strings.
• The middle pedal can vary. It might be a sostenuto pedal, which sustains only certain notes. Or it might be a practice pedal, which makes the sound very quiet.

Organ Pedals

A pipe organ has a large set of pedals called a pedalboard. These pedals are played with the musician's feet. They control the lowest notes of the organ. This allows the organist to play bass lines while their hands play melodies and chords.

Harp Pedals

A harp uses pedals to change the pitch of its strings. Each pedal can change the pitch of all strings of a certain note. For example, one pedal might change all the C strings from C natural to C sharp or C flat. This lets the harpist play in different musical keys.

Pedals in Everyday Machines

Pedals are not just for vehicles and music. They are used in many common machines.

Sewing Machines

In the past, before electricity was common, many sewing machines were powered by pedals. The user would push a large pedal back and forth with their feet. This motion would turn a flywheel, which then powered the needle and other parts of the machine. This allowed people to sew clothes and other items without needing electricity.

Spinning Wheels

Similar to old sewing machines, some spinning wheels also used pedals. A spinning wheel is a device used to spin fiber into yarn or thread. The pedal would turn the wheel, which helped to twist the fibers. This made the process of making yarn much faster and easier.

Other Uses

You might also see pedals on things like trash cans. Pushing a pedal opens the lid, so you don't have to touch it. Some older water pumps or grinding wheels also used pedals to operate. Pedals are a simple and effective way to use foot power for many tasks.