Mountain bike race

Mountain bike race

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about making inferences from a photograph.

girls biking arb.jpg

Two girls were racing down a hill on identical mountain bikes. The rules were that you could not pedal and the race began from a standing start. Paula was ahead of Aroha as they raced to the bottom of the hill.

Question 2Change answer

Look carefully at the photo.
a)  What do you notice that might be making Paula go fast?

Question 2Change answer

The bikes will eventually slow down and stop.
b)  What makes them do this?
     
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Copyright: 
Image: Depositphotos.com
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Physical World
Keywords: 
physics concepts, forces, friction, air resistance
Description of task: 
Task: Students answer questions about what will make mountain bike riders go faster. Assessment focus: Air resistance.
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 the clues that the picture provides to help us make inferences.
 
Science capabilities: 
Gather and interpret data
Making Better Sense: 
Friction
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (12/1997)
a)
  • She is crouching down/putting her weight forward (reducing the air resistance she encountered).
  • She is wearing close-fitting clothing (to reduce air resistance).
  • Other relevant ideas e.g. streamlined helmet
  
b) Friction/air resistance/drag or a response that describes these forces.