Imagine a toy car rolling off the same ramp onto three different floors: carpet, smooth wood and sandpaper. Which floor do you think will stop it soonest?
Today we will find out fairly, and we will measure with real care.
Our question is: Which surface slows a toy car the most?
Look at the three surfaces: sandpaper, carpet and smooth wood. Whisper to your partner which one you think will make the car roll the shortest distance, and say why. Then we will share a few ideas with the class.
Before we touch a car, we plan the test so that only one thing about it changes. Five cards come up on the board in a moment, and your job is to call out where each one belongs and say why.
The shared plan stays on the board. On your Investigation Journal page, write only three quick things: one extra keep-the-same your group will check on every run (for example how you release the car, or how you place the metre stick), the order you will visit the three surfaces, and your prediction.
Which surface slows a car most?
Watch the first run carefully before you begin.
Then work with your group, in this order:
- Prop your ramp on the two books already at the station, and tape one start line.
- Visit the surface stations in the order your group chose.
- On each surface, let the same car go from the start line three times, with no push.
- Measure each time from the start line to the front of the car, in centimetres.
- Put the three distances in order and write the middle one on your Investigation Journal page before you move on.
Take your time: careful measuring is the science today.
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