Friction  Lab

Get a grip! Friction affects motion. One wont be able to move without friction. Walking, running, riding a bike, or driving a car requires friction. Friction keeps us from slipping and sliding when we walk, helps keep us in our seat, keeps our cell phones in our hands,, and keeps our computers on our desks.

In this activity, students will use remote control cars to learn that frictional changes on surfaces require them to make adjustments. Before we begin this activity, students will be asked to make a hypothesis about how different tires will react to different surface conditions. Then, they will drive remote control vehicles with high friction and low friction set ups to validate their hypotheses.

Lesson Centers

Lesson Centers

  • This mini lesson reviews friction. They will know and understand where friction exists in their daily lives, and how important it is for their safety.

  • Students will practice driving our RC test vehicles with high grip tires to understand the effects of high friction surfaces on movement and travel!

  • What happens when it rains? What happens when it snows? Students will have fun exploring those questions as they slide around with slick slippery drift tires!

    1. Student time - 2.5hrs

      Set up time - 45 min Prior to event start time as stated in google docs and related correspondence.

    2. NGSS Standards

      PS2.A: Forces and Motion

      PS2.B: Types of Interactions

      PS3.A: Definitions of Energy

      Cause and Effect: (1- PS4-1), (1-PS4-2), (1-PS4-3)

    3. Lab Timing ~ 40 Minutes, with a 5 minute buffer.

      1. ~ 10 Minute Mini Lesson

      2. ~15 - 20 minute High Grip Lab Center

      3. ~15 - 20 Minute Low Grip Lab Center

      4. Lab Rotation timing is effected by the number of students in the lab.

    4. Supervision School/Campus must provide additional supervision via valued teachers or proctors.

    5. Lab Centers are best suited for 24-32. Student counts of over 24 may require longer lab rotation times.. students and Ideal for grade levels 3+

      **Fewer students may be sent, (Admin discretion)

      **Custom class sizes, grade level combinations, or other participants are per Admin’s Discretion.

    6. Lab centers include 8 Remote Controlled test vehicles and accompanying hardware.

    7. Location - A large sized indoor or outdoor area is preferred.

Center of Gravity Lab

Motion Physics Lab