Patterns and Predictions
A ball rolls across the floor and stops at the same place every time. What does this tell you?
A) The ball moves randomly
B) The ball's motion can be predicted
C) The ball will never stop
B) the ball's motion can be predicted. Why? The ball stops in the same place each time and therefore has a pattern. We can use that pattern to predict what is going to happen next.
What happns if two people pull a rope with the same force in opposite directions?
A) The rope will spin in a circle
B) The rope will stay still
C) The rope will fly away
B) The rope will stay still Why? Both people are pulling with the same force and when that happens, they cancel each other out and keep the object from moving
You watch a swing move back and forth. What pattern do you notice?
A) It swings slower each time
B) It starts and stops randomly
C) It moves in circles
A) It swings slower each time Why? One reason is that gravity is a force that is pulling the swing down. Friction and air are also causing the swing slow down.
How do we make something move?
A) Balance forces
B) Unbalanced forces
C) No force
B) Unbalanced forces Why? When there is more than one force acting on an object, and one force is stronger, it causes an object ot move.
You drop a basketball and watch it bounce up and down. What pattern do you notice?
A) It bounces lower and lower each time
B) It stops and starts randomly
C) It never stops bouncing
A) It bounces lower and lower each time. Why? The ball bounces lower each time because it gives away a little of its energy every time it hits the ground.
A toy truck is sitting still. What does it need to start moving?
A) Rainy weather
B) A balance push
C) An unbalanced push
C) An unbalanced push Why? Reason: A toy truck won’t move unless something gives it a stronger push in one direction. That unbalanced force makes it start rolling.
A marble is rolled down a ramp at the same distance each time. What can you do with this information?
A) Speed up the ramp
B) Guess the marble's color
C) Predict where the marble will stop
In a tug-of-war, both teams pull with the SAME strength. What happens to the rope?
A) It stays in the middle
B) It moves toward the taller team
C) It moves toward one team
A) It stays in the middle Why? The key word here is the SAME strength. If both forces are the same strength, there is no movement which means the rope will not move to either side, and stay in the middle.
Why is it helpful to notice patterns in motion?
A) So we can create unbalanced forces
B) So we can stop all movement
C) So we can predict future motion
C) So we can predict future motion. Why? When we see a pattern, like a swing slowing down or a ball bouncing lower, it helps us guess what will happen next. That way, we can understand and plan for how things will move.
What is true about balanced forces?
A) They only work with magnets
B) They always change motion
C) They keep objects still or moving at the same speed
C) They keep objects still or moving at the same speed. Why? Balanced forces push or pull the same amount in opposite directions. Since they cancel each other out, the object doesn’t speed up or slow down — it either stays still or keeps moving the same way.