Rule #1: Gravity
Gravity pulls things down.Rule #2: Slope
Slope affects speed.Rule #3: Random
Random is unpredictable.Rule #4: Force
Force is a push or a pull.Rule #5: Friction
Friction is everywhere.Complete the construction set as illustrated, then place 4 marbles in the Starting Gate to begin.
Press the flag to start the marbles down the track. Note how they all roll down. Pay special attention to where they stop.
Press down on the Orange Launcher to shoot the marble up the track. Discuss possible reasons for why the marble can roll up the track when the force of gravity is pulling it down.
Explore how the effect of gravity on the marble can change depending on the height of the track. First, remove the Orange Curved Track and the Orange Launcher at the end of the original track design so the ball will just roll off the track onto the floor. Next, start 1 marble at the top and watch it go down. Now, when the marble goes through the track it should roll off the track and onto the floor. Place a piece of the marking tape on the floor to show where the marble stopped rolling. Repeat this test a total of 5 times and mark the results on the tape.
Now, make the tower taller or shorter to record 5 more runs and note the results to see how they compare to your first design.
Now that you’ve seen how gravity pulls the marbles down, explore how the marbles can go up the tracks (even if for just a moment) against the pull of gravity. Use different track pieces to design a track that allows the marbles to roll up the track easier than the original construction design.