Science

Investigate: How can I change the roll of an object down a ramp?

Make a ramp. You can use cardboard, paper, wood, a ruler, a toy track, a book, a cardboard tube from paper towels or toilet paper, or anything else around your home.

Roll an object (ball, marble, can of food, orange, small stone, etc.) down the ramp. Observe.

Talk about:

• • What do you notice? How far does the object roll? How fast?

  • Is there something you can change about the ramp that will change how fast or far the object rolls? (You may want to try a different height, length, or material)

  • What do you think will happen when the ramp is changed?

Change something about the ramp. Roll the object down the new ramp and observe.

• Talk about:

  • What do you notice? How far does the object roll? How fast?

  • How does this compare to the first ramp?

  • What makes an object that is rolling down a ramp move the fastest?

  • What makes an object that is rolling down a ramp move the farthest?

  • What new questions do you have?