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Racing Marbles Lab
Item #P4-1370
$225.00
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Explore velocity and energy through a classic discrepant event
The Racing Marbles Lab is a classic discrepant event that challenges students’ understanding of instantaneous velocity, average velocity, and conservation of energy. By racing two marbles along the same ramp, students are prompted to make predictions, test their ideas, and confront surprising results. Which marble reaches the end first? Which has the highest final velocity? This engaging setup turns abstract kinematics and energy concepts into a memorable, data-driven investigation.
Why Teachers Love the Racing Marbles Lab
- Powerful discrepant event: Unexpected outcomes spark curiosity and meaningful discussion.
- Concept-focused learning: Reinforces conservation of energy alongside velocity concepts.
- Quick quantitative measurements: Built-in photogate slots make data collection fast and reliable.
- Encourages prediction and reasoning: Students compare energy-based predictions with average velocity analysis.
Note: The ramp is 44" long and includes two steel marbles. A Timer and Photogates are recommended for quantitative measurements but are not included.
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Students will review basic concepts of instantaneous and average velocity while they learn about the conservation of energy.
First, use conservation of energy to predict which marble will reach the end of the ramp first. Then consider average velocity and predict which marble will reach the end first! The results of this discrepant event will surprise you!
Students can perform quantitative measurements quickly and easily with the convenient photogate slots. Compare the marbles' speeds at different positions along the tracks.
Products being sold are not toys. They are for Educational / Laboratory use only. They are not for use by children 12 and under.
Product Specifications
Specs:
Ramp Length: 47"
What's Included:
2 - 47" Ramps
2 - Photogate Mounting Brackets “C” shaped
2 - 1.5cm Steel Marble
Hardware for assembly
FAQ
No specifications available.
Warning: California Residents
WARNING: Cancer & Reproductive Harm — www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
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