Test out Galileo's gravity experiment

In this activity learners will carry out an experiment (measuring the time that an egg takes to go down slopes of various angles), record the results in a table and presenting the results in a graph.

This could be used as an engaging one-off main lesson activity to introduce handling data, the calculation of velocity and acceleration or the effect of gravity on objects.

Activity: Investigating velocity and acceleration down a slope

This activity could be carried out in small teams, where individual team members are responsible for supporting the channel, measuring the angle, measuring the time, and recording the results. 

Tools/resources required

• A length of channel or guttering
• A tape measure
• A protractor
• A stopwatch
• The results table
• A pen or pencil
• An egg (plastic or boiled or solid)
• Weighing scales (for extension activity 2 only)

Suggested learning outcomes

Students will be able to explain how velocity changes with the angle of the slope and create a table and a line graph to record the results of their experiments. 

Download the free activity sheet below!

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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