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lesson & unit viewer

Crash!

published on: 2/28/2003

Contributing Teacher(s): Lori Bestgen,

Subject Area: Science/Physical,

Grade Range: Middle Grades (6-8)

Materials Needed:

• Clay
• Three meter sticks
• Small toy car
• Masking tape
• Pencil
• Two books

Objective:

1. Demonstrating that the faster an object moves, the impact reaction will be greater.

Essential Question:

Instructional Strategy:

Process Standards: Goal 1.4 use technological tools and other resources to locate, select and organize information
Goal 1.7 evaluate the accuracy of information and the reliability of its sources


Content Standards: SC4,

G.L.E.:


Time Allowance: approximately 45 minutes

Technological Resources:


Extensions:


Integration:


Differentiation:


Assessment:


Description: Complete an experiment that proves Newton correct.

Comments: Annotated Frameworks: 5-8, SC IV/B/2-3/a

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Classroom Component:

Click here to see the video clip of this lesson.



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Physicist ___________________


According to Newton, "the faster an object moves, the harder it will react to being stopped." Some people would like to argue with this fact, so YOU are going to complete an experiment today that proves Newton correct. Ready?


Procedure:

1. Lay two meter sticks side by side and tape together.
2. Make a ramp by placing a book on a table and laying one end of the meter sticks on the book. The other end should rest on the table.
3. Tape the pencil perpendicular and 2 car lengths from the end of the ramp.
4. Make a clay figure and carefully set it on the car. Do not press the clay down on the car.
5. Let the car roll down the ramp and collide with the pencil. Use the second ruler to measure the distance the clay figure falls from the car.
6. Repeat the procedure several times and then add another book and repeat. Make sure to release the car from the same position each time.
Independent Variable: _____________________________________________

Dependent Variable: ______________________________________________

Hypothesis: _____________________________________________________


1 Book 2 Books 3 Books 4 Books Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average


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Make a bar graph using the data in the table. Use a different color for each ramp.


Questions:

1. What does raising the ramp cause the clay figure to do?
   
   
2. What do you think happens to the car as it rolls down the ramp?
   
   
3. When it is rolling down the ramp, is the speed of the clay figure the same as the speed of the car?
   
   
4. What stops the car?
   
   
5. What stops the clay figure?
   
   
6. What happens to the car when it stops? The clay figure?
   
Conclusion:
Did your graph prove the rule given? Explain.



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Answer Sheet

Independent Variable: The height of the ramp
Dependent Variable: The distance the clay person traveled.
Hypothesis: If the height of a ramp is increased by 2,3,and 4 books, then the clay person will travel farther.
Chart: Answers will vary—answers will be in centimeters.
Table: Check for title of chart, titles on the X & Y axes, and correct numbers relating to chart.


Questions:

1. The height of the ramp causes the clay figure to fly further.
2. The car builds up speed as it goes down the ramp.
3. Yes, the clay figure and the car are going the same speed until the car hits the pencil.
4. The pencil stops the car.
5. Gravity pulls the clay figure to the surface and friction stops the clay figure from moving.
6. The car either goes over the pencil or stops. The clay figure keeps going.

Conclusion:

The higher the ramp, the faster the car goes, the farther the clay figure travels.

Yes, the graph proves Newton's Law by demonstrating with an increase in distance; the height of the ramp increases and the clay figure travels further.



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For additional information contact :
Lori Bestgen
Moreland Ridge Middle
Blue Springs R-IV
(816) 224-1800
EMAIL: lbestgen@bssd.net