PR-0552UK Primary Science - Book 2

Down the ramp!
Forces ~ Activity 2
Objective
• observe and investigate the
movement of objects such as
toys on various materials and
surfaces
Working scientifically
• Questioning
• Observing
• Predicting
• Investigating and experimenting
• Estimating and measuring
• Analysing (sorting and
classifying)
• Recording and communicating
Designing and making
• Exploring
Background information
Objects at rest tend to stay at rest
unless a force (push, pull) starts them
moving on a level surface. They
tend to keep moving in a straight
line unless the force is at an angle.
How well objects roll down a ramp
depends on the shape and mass of
the object and the texture of the
object and/or the ramp.
Before the lesson
Materials needed
• Ramp – strong cardboard or strong board, wooden blocks or books to prop
ramp.
• Variety of objects to test for rolling/sliding—tennis balls, ping-pong balls,
erasers, toy cars, marbles, paperclips, plastic counters, modelling clay (form
into strips and balls), different-shaped blocks, pencils, cotton reels, plastic cups,
stones, empty matchboxes, ice cubes, feathers, straws, leaves, buttons, rice,
grains etc.
Preparation
• Divide class into small groups with materials for the ramp and a selection of
objects to test. Ensure those objects on the copymaster are included.
The lesson
Stimulus
• Present pupils with two toy cars – one with wheels that turn and the other with
fixed wheels. Ask volunteers to get the cars to move on a level surface. How
much push or pull was needed? Did they roll, slide etc.? Predict what would
happen on a ramp and then test.
What to do
• Discuss the results of the stimulus.
• In groups, test a range of objects to see if they roll or slide down a ramp.
(Construct as outlined in ‘Materials needed’ section.)
• Repeat with a steeper ramp.
• Discuss the following:
Did the objects roll or slide further? Did some roll or slide at this height and
not the previous height? What objects rolled or slid best? Were they rough,
smooth, rounded, heavy, light etc.?
After the lesson
Answers
1.–3. Teacher check
4. The higher, steeper ramp will make the marble roll further.
Viewing Sample
Additional activities
• Try different surfaces on the ramp such as carpet, plastic, sandpaper or water.
How does each affect the rolling and sliding of objects?
• Change the length of the ramp and see how this affects the rolling and sliding
of objects.
Display ideas
• Pupils can draw or paste pictures on charts labelled ‘Things that Roll’, ‘Things
that Slide’ and ‘Things that Stay Still’.
74 PRIMARY SCIENCE ~ Prim-Ed Publishing ~ www.prim-ed.com