Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to investigate the effects of increasing or decreasing the strength of a specific contact or non-contact force.
Materials and Prep
- Objects to experiment with (e.g., different balls, magnets, books)
- Pen and paper for recording observations
- Clear space to conduct experiments
Activities
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Activity 1: Rolling Balls
Take different balls of varying sizes and materials (e.g., a tennis ball, a marble, and a rubber ball). Roll each ball on a flat surface and observe their motion. Record your observations, including how far each ball rolls.
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Activity 2: Magnetic Forces
Take a magnet and test its strength by attracting different objects (e.g., paperclips, coins, and small metal objects). Observe how the strength of the magnet affects its ability to attract these objects. Record your observations.
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Activity 3: Pushing and Pulling
Select two objects of different masses, such as a small book and a large book. Push and pull each object with the same force and observe their response. Record your observations, including how the objects move or resist movement.
Talking Points
- Force: Force is a push or a pull that can change the motion of an object.
- Contact Force: Contact forces require physical contact between objects to exert a push or a pull. For example, when you push a ball, your hand is in contact with the ball.
- Non-Contact Force: Non-contact forces can exert a push or a pull without physical contact. For example, magnets can attract or repel objects without touching them.
- Effect of Force Strength: Increasing the strength of a force can result in a greater push or pull, causing more significant changes in motion. Decreasing the force strength may result in a weaker push or pull, leading to smaller changes in motion.
- Observations: It is important to carefully observe and record what happens during each activity. This helps us understand how different forces affect objects and their motion.