Colliding marbles

Colliding marbles

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
This task is about the transfer of energy.
a)
Use the two large marbles to do the following. 
Roll one of the large marbles into the other large marble which is sitting still (see diagram).
 
two marbles about to collide
Draw a diagram similar to the one above to show what happens.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
b)
i)
Now roll a smaller marble into a larger marble which is sitting still.
Either draw a diagram or describe what happens.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
     
 
ii)
Now roll a larger marble into a smaller marble which is sitting still.
Either draw a diagram or describe what happens.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
     
  iii)
Write a general summary sentence to show what you have found out.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
c)
Investigate
 
On a flat surface (or in the fold of the newspaper) put 5 marbles close to each other.
Hold 4 marbles together in a line with your fingers, leave one marble free on the end.
Roll the sixth marble to hit the first marble held by your fingers.
Try this a few times.
 
  i)
Describe what happens to the free marble on the end of the line.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ii)
Explain what happens to the energy of the sixth marble as it hit the others.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
Equipment:
2 large marbles of equal size and weight; 6 smaller marbles; newspaper.
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Physical World
Keywords: 
physical inquiry, kinetic energy, energy transfer, exploring
Description of task: 
Students investigate energy transfer by colliding marbles, explaining their observations, and what happens to the energy of the moving marble on impact.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Gather and interpret data
This resource provides opportunities to discuss describing being about what you see, and explaining being about what your observations make you think.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss the meaning conveyed by using arrows in specific science diagrams.
Science capabilities: 
Gather and interpret data, Interpret representations
Making Better Sense: 
Kinetic Energy
Answers/responses: 

a)

   

b)

i)

 


ii)

 

iii)


NOTE: Students can give descriptions of the above.
The smaller marble moves more when the two marbles hit.

c)

i)
ii)

The free marble moves away from the others.
Energy is transferred from the sixth marble (through the marbles that are held) to the free marble.