Rolling Objects

GPS Correlation: Students will demonstrate changes in speed and direction using pushes and pulls – demonstrate the effect of changing speed on an object (S2P3b)

Teacher Instructions: Get out all of the toys with wheels, balls and other objects that roll.Allow the students to ―play with them. Set out flat items for ramp building like boards, and books. Below are some questions that students can investigate:

  • What makes your object roll?
  • What components allow it to move?
  • How does the object move on a towel/rug, on a ramp?
  • How does the slope of the ramp affect the way the system rolls?
  • What starts and stops the rolling system?

Set out the measurement tools, rulers, measuring tapes, meter sticks, yard sticks and have the children record exactly how far the objects went.

Materials Needed:

  • Ping pong ball
  • Tennis ball
  • Marble
  • Golf ball
  • Socket (from socket wrench)
  • Toy cars
  • Ramp - any smooth surface (cardboard, wooden board)
  • Measurement tools - ruler, tape measure, meter sticks, yard sticks
  • Books or blocks to increase the slope of the ramp

Procedure:

  1. Set up incline by placing two one inch books under one end of the ramp.
  2. Make a prediction about which object will roll the furthest distance.
  3. Place object at the top of the ramp and hold in place with the ruler
  4. Pick up the ruler to release the object and measure how far the object moved.
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all objects are tested.
  6. Add another book under the ramp.
  7. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 until all objects are tested
  8. Place a towel on the ramp.
  9. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 until all objects are tested
  10. Discuss results with the class in terms of gravity (introduced in Kindergarten), mass of an object and friction.

Object / Make a prediction about which object will travel the longest distance (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc) / Distance travelled with one 2 books under ramp
Include the unit of measurement (inches, feet, centimeters, etc) / Distance travelled with 3 books under ramp
Include the unit of measurement (inches, feet, centimeters, etc) / Distance travelled with towel on ramp
Include the unit of measurement (inches, feet, centimeters, etc)
Golf ball
Marble
Ping-pong ball
Socket
Tennis ball
Toy car

Write four sentences that tell what you learned by investigation rolling objects.

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