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Rolling Across Two Dune Paths

Compare a rolling ball's measured motion on two sand paths, identify patterns, and use evidence to predict later positions.

Grade 3ScienceInteractive · Printable

Aligned to3-PS2-2

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What’s included

Single worksheet
Auto-graded online
1 NGSS standard
Printable answer key
15 questions
Classroom-ready

Details

Format: Interactive · Printable
Grade: Grade 3
Subject: Science
Question types: Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Matching, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

Students measure and compare an object's position at regular time intervals.
Students identify patterns in motion data and predict a later position.
Students use repeated observations as evidence for a motion claim.

How to use

Read the dune park investigation together, then have students use the recorded positions and interval distances to answer the questions. Ask them to cite measurements in the written responses.

Curriculum

NGSS standard covered

3-PS2-2

Observe and measure an object's motion to find a pattern that predicts how it will move next.

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Rolling Across Two Dune Paths

Measure motion on packed and loose sand, then predict what happens next.

Measure the rolling ball

Read the ranger team's investigation. Use the records to answer the questions.

Two Paths at Sandwind Dune Park

At Sandwind Dune Park, ranger Imani wanted to learn how a small wooden ball moved on two paths. Path P had packed, firm sand. Path L had loose, soft sand. The paths were straight and the same length.

Imani placed the same ball at the same starting line for each test. She used the same gentle release each time. She changed the sand path but kept the ball, starting line, and release method the same. A partner used a measuring tape to record the ball's distance from the starting line every second.

On Path P, the ball's positions at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 seconds were 0, 30, 54, 72, 84, and 90 centimeters. On Path L, the positions at those times were 0, 24, 45, 63, 78, and 90 centimeters.

The team also found the distance traveled during each one-second interval. On Path P, the distances were 30, 24, 18, 12, and 6 centimeters. On Path L, they were 24, 21, 18, 15, and 12 centimeters. The team planned to use these patterns to predict later positions, then check the predictions with new measurements.

What object did Imani measure as it moved along the paths?