Week 3 Semester 2

 


  1. The big question addressed in lab, and a description of what you did.

During lab, the big question in lab was “What affects a rider’s speed down a slide?”, this is an extension of the physics module question, “How can we support play that is exciting but no dangerous?”. In class we investigated slides! First, we talked about some variables to test such as fabric type, slide steepness, and rider weight. My group decided to test the rider weight. Using a car, we weighed it down and did three trials of each car. We wrote out our investigation on the white board. We had hypothesized that the heavier the car the faster it would go. However, the time averages were so close together that we determined that the rider weight was not a huge factor. We went around the class and each group shared what they did. 


  1. A description of what you learned in Thursday's lecture.

In lecture we talked more about slides, and we talked more about the variables that groups investigated and the affect on the speed of the rider. Some variables that were tested were, height, steepness, surface/clothing, and rider weight. We found that the higher the slide the faster the speed of the rider. Then we discussed acceleration, and that connects with slide height because riders accelerate as they slide down. The higher the slide, the more time a rider has to speed up. Steeper the slide=faster the speed. We discussed it with a force lens on motion. Then we moved into discussing how the surface affects the speed of the rider, the reason for this is friction. We spent time discussing friction and what the forces of friction look like, and why it matters in regard to slides. Then, we discussed rider weight, which just as my group found during lab, does not affect rider speed. Then we discussed air drag, and that all objects accelerate at the same rate. Then we talked about big slides again, and why some slides have mats to use, or may have bumps. 

  1. Answer questions about the weekly textbook reading:

    1. What did you learn?

I learned that every object has a force acting on it at all times. The example of the book really helped me. To make something move, there needs to be an unbalanced first acting upon it. When an object is in motion there is also a force of friction acting that will eventually cause the object to stop. Newton’s second law, was another thing in the textbook, this mentioned that the greater the size of an object, the more force it takes to move it. 

  1. What was most helpful?

I found the simulations most helpful, as well as the videos that demonstrated the            ideas. Getting to see and play around with simulations is really helpful. 

  1. What do you need more information on?

I would like to know more about friction and electrostatic forces. Also magnets! I would like to have done more in lab with magnets, I think that would have been helpful. 

  1. What questions/concerns/comments do you have?

         I would like to find a way to explain magnets, and those forces for young students. While                         also bringing in friction.

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