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Investigating the Relationship between Mass and Force: A Rubber Band and Blocks Experiment, Papers of History of Education

A lab experiment where students investigate the relationship between mass and the force required to move an object using a rubber band and blocks. The experiment involves measuring the mass of different blocks and the force required to move them, and then graphing the results. The document also encourages students to discuss the relationship between mass and force and make predictions. In part 2, students explore how different surfaces affect the results, and in part 3, they attempt to pull books across a table using a rubber band and discuss solutions to overcome friction.

Typology: Papers

Pre 2010

Uploaded on 08/09/2009

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GRED 566
Forces Investigation
Part 1
1) Push the end of a rubber band up through the large hole in the 12” ruler, (the hole nearest the 12”
side) and stick the other end through the loop. Pull snugly.
2) Weigh the block of wood and record the weight on the chart below under “Mass”.
3) Cut a piece of string approximately 18” long. Tie one end of the string to the rubber band and the
other to the screw eye in the block of wood.
4) Place the ruler flat on the table so that the numbers face up and the string runs the length of the
ruler. Pull on the end of the ruler using a slow, even motion and, once the block starts moving, note
where the knot of the string attached to the rubber band is on the centimeter scale. Record this number
on the chart below under “Force Required”
5) Repeat this procedure for first two and then three blocks of wood, recording both the mass of the
objects and the force required to move them.
6) Graph your results on the supplied graph. Draw a line to connect the points. What is the shape of the
line?
7) Using weights and varying the number of blocks, repeat the same tests for several different masses.
Record the results below and then add these data to your graph. How close are these points to your
original line?
Mass Force Required
8) Discuss with your group the following question: what is the relationship between the mass of an
object and the force required to move it? Can you make predictions about masses you haven’t tested
yet? If so, how? Record your answer on a separate sheet of paper. (You can use the back of your graph.)
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GRED 566

Forces Investigation

Part 1

  1. Push the end of a rubber band up through the large hole in the 12” ruler, (the hole nearest the 12” side) and stick the other end through the loop. Pull snugly.
  2. Weigh the block of wood and record the weight on the chart below under “Mass”.
  3. Cut a piece of string approximately 18” long. Tie one end of the string to the rubber band and the other to the screw eye in the block of wood.
  4. Place the ruler flat on the table so that the numbers face up and the string runs the length of the ruler. Pull on the end of the ruler using a slow, even motion and, once the block starts moving, note where the knot of the string attached to the rubber band is on the centimeter scale. Record this number on the chart below under “Force Required”
  5. Repeat this procedure for first two and then three blocks of wood, recording both the mass of the objects and the force required to move them.
  6. Graph your results on the supplied graph. Draw a line to connect the points. What is the shape of the line?
  7. Using weights and varying the number of blocks, repeat the same tests for several different masses. Record the results below and then add these data to your graph. How close are these points to your original line? Mass Force Required
  8. Discuss with your group the following question: what is the relationship between the mass of an object and the force required to move it? Can you make predictions about masses you haven’t tested yet? If so, how? Record your answer on a separate sheet of paper. (You can use the back of your graph.)

Part 2

  1. Is there anything that can affect the relationship between the mass of an object and the force required to move it? Weigh and measure the force required to move one block and record your results in the chart below.
  2. Place the block on a piece of cloth and repeat the procedure. Record your result below.
  3. Share with your group some ideas for different surfaces to test. Then repeat the above tests but with several different surfaces placed under the block. Record your results below. Mass (block plus surface) Surface Force Required None Cloth
  4. Add these new data to your graph. How close are these points to your original line?
  5. Discuss these results with your group. Try to come up with an explanation for what is happening. Part 3
  6. Cut open a rubber band so that it lies flat. Place it between two text books so that around 1” of the rubber band extends from the books. Place the books at the end of the table. By pulling only on the rubber band, are you able to pull the books across the entire length of the table? Chances are the rubber band will pull out from between the books. Why do you think this is? Discuss this question with your group and record your answer below. Try to include the terms “force” and “friction” in your answer.
  7. Brainstorm with your group changes you could make to the set-up described above so that you can pull the books across the length of the table by pulling on the rubber band. You may use any materials you wish. Once your group has come up with a successful solution to the challenge, describe your solution on a separate sheet of paper. (You can use the back of your graph.) Explain why you were able to move the books. Be sure to discuss “force” and “friction” in your explanation.