Science Methods II-Blog 2

 1. Lab: Big Question- How is a rider's speed affected by factors such as height, steepness, surface/clothing, rider weight?

In lab, we discussed this question and created different models to determine how these factors affected the speed of the rider. In my group, we looked at the steepness of a slide. To do this, we found the slope of 3 different slides and the amount of time it took for our rider to get from the top of the slide to the bottom. We found the the steeper the slope, the less time it took for the rider to get from the top of the slide to the bottom. We came to the conclusion that when steepness is greater, the rider will have a faster speed.

2. Lecture

In lecture we discussed friction. The amount of friction is dependent on the materials that are rubbing together. Friction can prevent an object from moving down a slope if it is great enough. We also talked about gravity and how forces affect the speed of a rider. Gravity is always at work, however the slope of the slide affects how much greater the gravity is than the force of the slide pushing the rider up. When the slope is greater, the force of gravity has more pull, letting the rider go faster. 

3. Textbook

What did you learn?

I learned that friction is the reason that all object eventually stop moving. If an object is pushed, it can go for varying lengths of time, but will stop when the force of friction is greater than the momentum that it had. 

What was most helpful?

The videos were helpful for explanations of how the forces work. The car crash video helped me to understand exactly what was happening and why.

What do you need more information on?

I would like more information on friction and how to increase/decrease friction. 

What questions/concerns/comments do you have?

How can you help students to really visualize friction? It is an invisible force, so I am not sure how to get students to understand that there is friction every time two objects go against one another.