Rolling Away Mrs Walkers Second Grade Class Problem

Rolling Away Mrs. Walker’s Second Grade Class

Problem Does the mass of the ball affect the distance a ball travels?

Hypothesis If we roll 3 different balls down the same ramp to measure the distance it rolls, then we think the metal ball will go the farthest distance because it has more mass than the other two.

Hypothesis 4 votes for wooden ball 20 votes for metal ball 0 votes for styrofoam ball

Variables Independent variable: We used different types of balls. Constant: We used the same ramp for each trial.

Materials • • • Meter Stick Metal Ball Wooden Ball Styrofoam Ball Balance Scale

Procedures 1. Place your ramp on the ground. 2. Roll the metal ball down the ramp and record the distance. 3. Repeat step 2 two more times and record the distance. 4. Roll the wooden ball down the ramp and record the distance. 5. Repeat step 4 two more times and record the distance. 6. Roll the styrofoam ball down the ramp and record the distance. 7. Repeat step 6 two more times and record the distance.

Results To determine the average distance traveled for each ball, we added the total distance for all three trials and then divided the total by three.

Data: Chart Distance- Centimeters Trials Metal Ball Wooden Ball Styrofoam Ball Trial 1 196 193 81 Trial 2 201 170 104 Trial 3 229 183 196 Average 209 182 127

Data: Graph

Conclusion • In our hypothesis the majority of the class (20 students) predicted that the metal ball would roll the farthest and they were correct. The 4 students that voted that the wooden ball would go the farthest were incorrect. • All three balls have the same shape yet their mass is different. The styrofoam ball had the least amount of mass, and the metal ball had the most amount of mass.

Conclusion • We concluded that the metal ball went the farthest because its mass was the heaviest out of the three balls.

Bibliography http: //www. discoveryeducati on. com These educational videos define what mass is and how it can be measured. • Comparing Mass • Measuring Mass • Introduction to Mass http: //www. brainpopjr. com/math/measurement/gramsandkilograms/preview. weml This educational video explains how mass can be measured in grams and kilograms. https: //www 2. houstonisd. org/Curriculum/SCI 2_1213_Unit 3_Properties_of_Matter This website provides resources (videos, books, lessons) regarding mass.