To begin the activity:
1. Go to the PROJECTS tab and click on the link to Project 4: Caution! Falling Objects. This gives you access to a spreadsheet that will help you record your data as we do our activity.
2. Make a list of all the items that you want to measure.
3. Using a ruler, measure the items in INCHES and record your measurements on the spreadsheet.
4. Measure the items by how much they weigh in GRAMS using the small scales, and record your data on the spreadsheet.
5. Next write down the color of each item.
6. After examining all of your data, it’s time to make a prediction!
7. Here are some things to think about before you predict the outcome. Notice things like color, shape, size, height and weight as you observe. Fox example, could the color of an object effect how fast it falls? Would a heavier object fall faster than a smaller object?
After examining the different objects, predict what you think will happen and answer questions 1-3 in your “Think-About-It” Journal!
8. Now comes the fun part! It’s time to perform the experiment.
- Stand up straight.
- Hold your arm out in front of you.
- Drop one item while another classmate uses the stopwatch to time your objects as they fall.
- Record the time it took each item to fall.
9. Now you can answer questions 4 and 5 in your “Think-About-It” Journals.
Gravity Spreadsheet Activity Journal Questions:
- Do you think objects might drop faster based on their appearance?
- Do you think it’s important to predict the outcome to a problem?
- Explain how you made your predictions? Were they based on weight? Color? Size?
- Why do you think some objects dropped faster or slower than others?
- After our experiment what pattern did you notice about how gravity affects falling objects?
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