What affects the way toys move on surfaces?
Students use a variety of toys of different mass or wheel size to find out if these variables affect their movement over different surfaces. With assistance they design simple experiments, including the control of variables, to test their ideas. Students record their results in a log book. They describe the movement of the toys in terms of forces acting on them and draw conclusions about how the mass of a toy affects its movement. Weighty problems Students design an experiment to find out if adding weights to a wooden truck affects the time it takes to roll down a ramp or slope. They record results in a spreadsheet and write up a scientific report of their findings. Another investigation could be to measure the distance travelled by the truck carrying different weights after leaving the ramp. Students discuss their results and draw conclusions about whether heavier trucks move faster or further or not. Blowing in the wind Students add a device to a wheel and axle model to catch the win
