Slippery slope

Does an object slide down a slope more easily on some surfaces?

PLAN

Obtain a tin box with a smooth base (or a similar object).

Make an adjustable slope from a piece of wooden board.

Place the tin box on the board.

Gradually increase the slope of the board.

Observe when the tin box starts sliding and record the position of the slope.

Cover the board with a piece of carpet and repeat the investigation.

Cover the board with a sheet of card (or paper) and repeat the investigation.

I WILL NEED

A tin box (or similar object).

Large piece of board for slope.

Piece of carpet.

Large sheet of card (or paper).

Paper and pencil.

I MAY NEED

Other coverings for the slope.

A metre rule (to measure the slope).

A large protractor (angle-measure).

FAIR TEST

Make sure all the conditions are identical for each part of the investigation.

PREDICTION

What do you think might happen?

Why do you think so?

PRACTICAL ACTIVITY

How did you increase the slope of the board?

What did you observe as the slope was made steeper?

When the object started to slide, how did you measure the position of the slope?

COLLECT

DATA

How will you measure the position of the slope?

Could you record how quickly (or slowly) the object slid down the slope?

ANALYSE

DATA

What can you say about the "slippy-ness" or "sticky-ness" of each slope surface?

This sticky-ness is caused by friction.  What have you learned about friction?

PRESENT

FINDINGS

What is the best way to explain what you did?

Would a diagram make things clearer?

What did you learn about friction - and what is the best way of explaining this?

EVALUATE

INVESTIGATION

If someone else was going to carry out this investigation, what tips or advice would you give them?

How could you improve this investigation?

If you have carried out this investigation, click the icon to send in your results to Brainboxx and we may publish your work on the website.  It is best to e-mail the results of your investigation or you may need to send them by post.  Make sure you get permission from a teacher, parent or other adult before you get in touch.

Friction