Name: Force and Motion Science Experiment
SKU: 63f02d8f7743f658c8c781fa
Price: 39.99 USD
Availability: InStock

About this resource

What's inside this resource

Students examine a set of six balls, noting size, weight, and texture, then write hypotheses about which ball will need the most and least wind-force to move. In the experiment section, each student blows softly on a chosen ball and increases their breath force until it rolls, marking the result on a soft-to-vigorous scale for all six balls in turn, or noting "could not move" if a ball never rolls. An outcome section has students identify which ball actually needed the most and least force and check that against their original hypothesis, and a conclusion section asks them to generalize what size, weight, and texture reveal about the wind-force needed for motion. The worksheet is a single hands-on inquiry activity meant to be completed while physically testing real balls rather than a reading or answer-key based exercise. For a different physical-science force to test with the same hypothesize-and-observe structure, static electricity experiments use household items like balloons and combs to demonstrate charge attraction and repulsion.

Product description

From the author

We all know that science is learned best with our hands! When we have the opportunity to really explore scientific concepts with an interactive approach, the learning just sticks! More than that, students love the chance to do experiments.

This is a Force and Motion Science Experiment for your students to take part in.

It may be used best with 3rd – 5th grade students.

Students will work with a set of balls to apply what they know about force and motion. Students will complete the 2 page printable along the way.

They will begin by making a hypothesis, as scientists do, before engaging in the experiment. Students will hypothesize which ball they believe will need the most wind-force for motion and which ball will need the least wind-force. You may choose to have your students decide on this hypothesis individually or in small groups.

When students have wrapped up their hypothesis, they will move forward into the experiment portion. Students will follow the directions on page 1 to test out the force and motion of each ball. There is space for them to test out 6 balls. Your class may love completing this in small groups or with a partner.

On page 2, they will reflect on the experiment by writing their particular outcome and formulating a conclusion about the wind-force needed to put balls in motion.

I hope you enjoy!

Here are links to similar resources in my store:

https://teachsimple.com/product/area-and-perimeter-mini-tasks

https://teachsimple.com/product/animal-report-packet

Here is a link to my store to enjoy other resources from me: https://teachsimple.com/contributor/at-the-core

I can be contacted for questions and concerns at sallyplant12@hotmail.com.

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

Formulate a testable hypothesis about how a ball's physical properties affect the force needed to move it.
Apply increasing force (breath) to an object and record the point at which motion begins.
Compare experimental outcomes to an original hypothesis and revise thinking based on evidence.
Draw a conclusion linking an object's size, weight, and texture to the amount of force required to move it.

Teaching tips

Gather six balls of varying size, weight, and texture before class, since the sheet assumes students already have them in front of them.
Model the soft-to-vigorous scale with one ball as a class before students test independently or in pairs.
Have students share their conclusions aloud afterward to compare whether weight or texture had a bigger effect on the force needed.

Skills covered

Hypothesis formation — students predict and justify which of several balls will need the most/least force to move.
Controlled variable testing — students apply gradually increasing wind-force to six different balls and record the force level at which each moves.
Evidence-based conclusion writing — students compare their results to their hypothesis and explain the relationship between an object's properties and the force needed to move it.

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Resource details

Concepts & topics

Core concepts

force
motion
hypothesis
scientific method

Topics

science experiment force motion wind-force hypothesis hands-on science experiments activities force and motion

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Force and Motion Science Experiment