Students observe the motion of a pendulum. They explore ways of changing the pendulum's motion and observe the relationship between the motion of the pendulum and the force it exerts on dominoes. Students measure the amount of force needed to move different objects by measuring the length to which a rubber band stretches before the force applied to the rubber band causes each object to move. Students will infer that more force is required to move objects with greater mass or to move objects across rough surfaces. Students study the effects of friction by measuring the height to which a board must be raised to allow an object to slide along its surface.
Students build a rocket that is propelled by a balloon.
Students hypothesize how the size of the balloon opening will affect the distance the balloon travels.