Investigating Air Resistance
Initial Publication Date: August 3, 2009
Summary
In this lab, students will investigate what factors effect air resistance. They will be provided with different materials which they can drop and record the times it takes to fall.
CollapseLearning Goals
Students will develop factors that may influence air resistance.
Context for Use
This activity is meant to be used in a middle school type setting. It is an guided-inquiry type lab, where students are given some materials, and asked to investigate without a formal lab procedure.
Description and Teaching Materials
This is a great introductory activity when discussing gravity and other forces. The activity is very quick, and uses much needed inquiry.
The question you will pose to students is what causes air resistance? You can even discuss that mass does not matter when dropping objects from the same height.
What the students will do is be given a number of objects and asked to drop them. They will notice that not all fall at the same rate. They need to find the objects that fall slowest and ask themselves why they fall much slower (air resistance). Once they have found the most resistant objects, they need to list the characteristics of the items and develop factors that influence air resistance. They need to come up with a list of factors to discuss with the class.
The question you will pose to students is what causes air resistance? You can even discuss that mass does not matter when dropping objects from the same height.
What the students will do is be given a number of objects and asked to drop them. They will notice that not all fall at the same rate. They need to find the objects that fall slowest and ask themselves why they fall much slower (air resistance). Once they have found the most resistant objects, they need to list the characteristics of the items and develop factors that influence air resistance. They need to come up with a list of factors to discuss with the class.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Quick activity regarding air resistance. Hands-on lab, guided inquiry based lab.
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Assessment
The students will be viewed in lab and required to hand in a list of factors that influence air resistance.
Standards
5.2.2.1.2--Identifying Forces
6.2.2.2.2--Identifying Forces
6.2.2.2.2--Identifying Forces