Cars

Cars

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about things that make cars safer.

Question 1Change answer

Here are some pictures of cars made in different years.
 
porsche    old austin type car    station wagon
a)  Name two things that are the same for all these cars.
     1. 
     2. 

Question

b) i) These three cars were driving on a road. They were driving into the wind.

        Which car would be slowed down most by the wind?

    • porsche      

    •    old austin type car   

    •       station wagon

ii) Explain why this car would be slowed down the most by the wind.

Question 1Change answer

c)  Here are some special features of modern cars.
 
Anti lock brakes       Airbags       Laminated glass       Crumple zones    
Seat belts       Side-impact protection       Head rests
 
Choose two of these features. Describe the feature and explain why it makes car travel safer.
Feature 1:
Describe how this feature works:
Why it makes car travel safer:
Feature 2:
Describe how this feature works:
Why it makes car travel safer:
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Levels:
2, 3
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Physical World
Keywords: 
physics concepts, friction, air resistance, cars
Description of task: 
Students compare cars from different eras. They describe how different features of modern cars make them safer. The task assesses students' understanding of how technology can make cars faster and safer.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Use evidence
This resource provides opportunities to discuss what evidence could be used to back up ideas.
Science capabilities: 
Use evidence
Making Better Sense: 
Friction
Answers/responses: 
 

Y4 (09/1998)

a)

Any 2 of:

  • Doors
  • Wheels
  • Steering wheel
  • Windows
  • Lights
  • Any other answer

2 correct  - easy

1 correct - very easy

b)

 i) Car B
ii) Any explanation which indicates that this car is less aerodynamic.

very easy

very difficult

c)
  • Anti lock brakes - These brakes prevent the wheels from locking when you have to stop quickly. So you have better control of the car.
  • Airbags - These are bags which inflate on impact and are designed to prevent the driver/front passenger from hitting their heads on rigid areas.
  • Crumple zones - These are predetermined parts of a car that crumble in a crash. They absorb energy from the impact and therefore help maintain the integrity of the passenger compartment.
  • Seat belts - Belts which fit around passengers and restrain them in a crash. They prevent passengers hitting their body/head on rigid areas and/or prevent them from flying around in the car in a crash.
  • Side impact protection - Modifications are made, (e.g., stronger pillars, sills, energy absorption padding) to the car sides. The aim is to help prevent doors, etc., from impacting on the passenger when a car is hit on that particular side.
  • Head rests - These are the pieces (headrest) on top of the seat. They keep the head from whipping back after an impact.
  • Laminated glass - Laminated glass has a tough protective interlayer (plastic - polyvinyl butyral) bonded between two layers of glass. When a car windscreen breaks (e.g., stone impact, crash) the glass may crack but fragments tend to stick to the plastic, i.e., there are no sharp pieces to cause injury.

NOTE: The answers above are not in level 2 language but they outline the two components necessary in a student answer. 1: The student should describe or explain the structure. 2: The student should explain why the feature adds to the safety of passengers.

difficult

NOTE: Part c) has been added to this resource. Unlike parts a) and b), it was trialled with students using books to look up the respective information. 

Diagnostic and formative information: 
    Common error
b) i) Because it is an old car/old cars are slower.