Rolling Away

Mrs. Walker’s Second Grade Class

Does the mass of the ball affect the distance a ball

travels?

Problem

Hypothesis If we roll 3 different balls down the same

ramp to measure the distance it rolls, then we think the metal ball will go the farthest distance because it has more

mass than the other two.

4 votes for wooden ball

20 votes for metal ball

0 votes for styrofoam ball

Hypothesis

Variables

Independent variable: We used different types of balls.

Constant: We used the same ramp for each trial.

Materials

• Meter Stick • Metal Ball• Wooden Ball• Styrofoam Ball• Balance Scale

Procedures

1. Place your ramp on the ground.2. Roll the metal ball down the

ramp and record the distance.3. Repeat step 2 two more times

and record the distance. 4. Roll the wooden ball down the

ramp and record the distance.5. Repeat step 4 two more times

and record the distance.6. Roll the styrofoam ball down the

ramp and record the distance. 7. Repeat step 6 two more times

and record the distance.

Results

To determine the average distance

traveled for each ball, we added the total

distance for all three trials and then

divided the total by three.

Data: Chart

Trials Metal Ball Wooden Ball

Styrofoam Ball

Trial 1 196 193 81

Trial 2 201 170 104

Trial 3 229 183 196

Average 209 182 127

Distance- Centimeters

Data: Graph

Conclusion• In our hypothesis the majority of the class (20 students) predicted

that the metal ball would roll the farthest and they were correct. The 4 students that voted that the wooden ball would go the farthest were incorrect.

• All three balls have the same shape yet their mass is different. The styrofoam ball had the least amount of mass, and the metal ball had the most amount of mass.

Conclusion

• We concluded that the metal ball went the farthest because its mass was the heaviest out of the three balls.

Bibliographyhttp://www.discoveryeducation.comThese educational videos define what mass is and how it can be measured.• Comparing Mass• Measuring Mass• Introduction to Mass

http://www.brainpopjr.com/math/measurement/gramsandkilograms/preview.weml This educational video explains how mass can be measured in grams and kilograms.

https://www2.houstonisd.org/Curriculum/SCI2_1213_Unit3_Properties_of_MatterThis website provides resources (videos, books, lessons) regarding mass.