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Friction and Surface Investigation

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Friction and Surface Investigation

Friction and Surface Investigation

Ball rolling down ramp with different surfaces

🔬 Part 1: Predictions and Vocabulary

1. Before we start our experiment, predict which surface will make the ball roll the fastest (tere). Circle your answer:

Sandpaper (rough/māro)

Plastic sheet (smooth)

Fabric (soft)

Cardboard

2. Match the English words with their te reo Māori meanings:
1. Rolling
2. Friction
3. Surface
4. Rough
5. Slow down
A. Pāngia
B. Whakapā
C. Rere
D. Māro
E. Pūhoi
3. Why do you think some surfaces might slow down a rolling ball more than others?

📊 Part 2: Recording Our Results

4. Record the time (in seconds) for each surface. Do 3 trials for each surface:

Sandpaper (māro surface):

Trial 1: _______ seconds    Trial 2: _______ seconds    Trial 3: _______ seconds

Average time: _______ seconds

Plastic sheet (smooth surface):

Trial 1: _______ seconds    Trial 2: _______ seconds    Trial 3: _______ seconds

Average time: _______ seconds

Fabric surface:

Trial 1: _______ seconds    Trial 2: _______ seconds    Trial 3: _______ seconds

Average time: _______ seconds

Cardboard surface:

Trial 1: _______ seconds    Trial 2: _______ seconds    Trial 3: _______ seconds

Average time: _______ seconds

5. Which surface had the fastest average time? Circle your answer:

Sandpaper

Plastic sheet

Fabric

Cardboard

6. Which surface had the slowest average time? Circle your answer:

Sandpaper

Plastic sheet

Fabric

Cardboard

🤔 Part 3: Understanding Friction (Pāngia)

7. Fill in the blanks using the words: friction, rough, smooth, slow, fast

When surfaces are __________, they create more __________ which makes objects move __________. When surfaces are __________, there is less friction and objects can move __________.

8. Check all the things that create friction in everyday life:

Car tyres on the road

Your shoes on the ground when walking

A waka paddle in water

Rubbing your hands together

A ball floating in air

9. Draw a picture showing friction (pāngia) in action. Label your drawing:

💭 Part 4: Reflection and Thinking

10. Was your prediction from question 1 correct? Explain why or why not:
11. Explain why rough surfaces (māro) create more friction than smooth surfaces:
12. Think of a time when friction is helpful and a time when friction is not helpful:

Friction is helpful when: _________________________________

Friction is not helpful when: _________________________________

13. How did your group work together during this investigation? What roles did each person have?
14. What would you like to investigate next about forces and motion?

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