Resource #V105101

Précis

Students complete a ?Force Diagrams? worksheet that relates to their experiences of the various activities. Students will also collect data and use this to calculate the average speed of the Toboggan Run. Some students can then apply their knowledge of the Toboggan Run to complete a distance-time graph.

Contextual Summary

This resource is for students at key stage 3 and relates to the ?Motion and Forces? part of the Science National Curriculum, focusing on force diagrams and the quantitative relationship between average speed, distance and time. The tasks link to various activities at Robin Hill, specifically to the Toboggan Run.

Curriculum Relevance

Science → Physics → Motion and Force

Implementation

This is an on-site resource (with post-visit investigation option) that relates to the students? experiences of the various activities available at Robin Hill, including the Toboggan Run. Students complete a ?Force Diagrams? worksheet that relates to their experiences of the various activities. Students will also collect data and use this to calculate the average speed of the Toboggan Run. Some students can then apply their knowledge of the Toboggan Run to complete a distance-time graph. Ideally, teachers will have introduced students to the effects of forces and the methods of describing motion. The post-visit aspects of the task enable students to work together to investigate how the design of a toboggan will affect its average speed.

Key Skills Practised

• Drawing force diagrams
• Carrying out calculations
• Transposing formula
• Manipulating data into a graphical form
• Working scientifically
• Recording and using data

Learning Opportunities

Pre-Visit

It is suggested to teachers that students be introduced to the effects of forces and the methods of describing motion prior to the trip

Post-Visit

After their visit students can practise their ?Working Scientifically? skills by carrying out a practical investigation into their experience of the Toboggan Run - they will investigate how the design of a toboggan affects its average speed.

Learning Outcomes

Students will draw force diagrams to represent balanced and unbalanced forces. They will use the equation speed = distance ÷ time to carry out their calculations. Some students will apply their knowledge to complete distance-time graphs.