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Force and Motion Friction

Shared by Suzanne Woolworth

Details

Space: 
inside
Time: 
1-2 hours
Subject: 
Science
Grades: 
3rd Grade
Key Terms: 
friction
push
pull
measure
yards
inches
constant
independent variable
dependent variable
Materials: 
materials to make ramps
variety of toy cars
textured materials to create friction
paper towel
aluminum foil
plastic wrap
sandpaper
Wax paper
rubber grip mat
rug
measuring tape

Lesson Overview

Teacher Overview:

Essential Question: How do we get objects to move when they are in contact with each other? How does friction affect force? 

Introduction: What happens when force changes? How do you know? What do you think you know? 

  • Record ideas on chart

  • Are there any special words, thoughts, or ideas we should keep in mind?

 

Lesson: How can we find out?

Today students will be given a ramp, toy car, and objects to reduce or improve friction. What do you notice about friction? What will your constant be? 

 

Possible challenges include 

  • Change the slope. What happens to the speed?

  • What is causing the downward pull?

  • Add weight? What happens? Be sure to measure weights. Continue to experiment with slope angles. 

  • Include environment effects by reading the book, Oil Spill by Melvin Berger. Place rocks, grass, etc on a paper plate or pan and pour oil over objects. Students should try to remove the oil from the objects. 

  • Record and chart data

3PS2.1

3PS2.2

3PS2.4

Student Summary: 

Today we will investigate what happens when force changes? How do you know? What do you think you know? 

  • Record ideas on chart

  • Are there any special words, thoughts, or ideas we should keep in mind?Lesson: How can we find out?

You will be given a ramp, toy car, and objects to reduce or improve friction. What do you notice about friction? What will your constant be?

Lesson Phases

Plan

Explain your plan.
Description: 
Decide what the order of your ramp materials and predict the distance your toy car will travel on each of the materials.

Create

What materials have more friction? How do you know?
What materials are causing greater friction? How do you know?
Description: 
Build your ramp and try the different materials. Be sure to measure the distance the car traveled each time, recording your data.

Improve

What do you conclude about changes in friction? How do you know?
Where is it nice to have a lot of friction?
Where is it nice to have less friction?
Description: 
Think about friction in real life. What could you do to improve the speed of your toy car and reduce friction?

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