Rolling along

How far will a toy car travel when rolled down a slope?

Make sure you carry out your investigation where no-one will trip over the toy car.

PLAN

Make a slope.

Find a way to measure the angle of the slope.

Mark different starting points on the slope.

Test out different toy cars to see which one works best.

Test out different surfaces to see which works best.

I WILL NEED

Toy car.

Slope.

Plenty of space.

Pencil & paper.

I MAY NEED

Metre rule (or similar measuring equipment).

Protractor (for measuring angles).

FAIR TEST

Does the angle of the slope make any difference?

Does the height at which the car is placed on the slope make any difference?

PREDICTION

What do you think might happen?

Why do you think so?

PRACTICAL ACTIVITY

Set the angle of the slope.

Roll a toy car down it. several times from different starting points.

Measure the distance the car travels each time.

Change the angle of the slope.

Repeat the experiment.

Did you encounter any problems?

What did you do to overcome these?

COLLECT

DATA

Measure the distance the car travels each time.  It would be a good idea to make a grid showing angles and starting points.

ANALYSE

DATA

You may need to draw a number of charts or graphs (perhaps one for each angle?)

PRESENT

FINDINGS

A diagram of the equipment you used would help to make things clearer.

Could you take some photographs of the slope?

You may need to draw a number of charts or graphs to make your findings clear.

EVALUATE

INVESTIGATION

.How could you improve or alter 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.

Interactive roller-coaster

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