Friction Ramp Texture Science Experiment
Slide objects down ramps covered with different textures — sandpaper, foil, fabric — to discover how surface texture affects speed and friction.
What You'll Need
- 1Large cardboard piece for ramp
- 2Books (for ramp elevation)
- 3Sandpaper, aluminum foil, felt, wax paper, towel
- 4Small toy car or wooden block
- 5Tape
- 6Timer
- 7Paper and pencil for recording
What You'll Need
A large cardboard piece for the ramp
Books for elevation
Sandpaper, aluminum foil, felt, wax paper, and a towel
A small toy car or wooden block
Tape, timer, paper, and pencil
How to Play
Prop a cardboard ramp on books to create an incline.
Cut squares of each material and tape them flat to separate cardboard strips.
Place the first surface on the ramp.
Release a test object from the top and time the slide.
Replace with the next surface and repeat with the same object.
Record times and observations in a chart.
Rank from most friction to least. Discuss: "Why was the towel slowest? Why was wax paper fastest?"
Tips
Before testing, have your child touch each surface and predict the order. Predictions make the results more meaningful.
Friction is the resistance between two surfaces. Rough surfaces create more friction. Smooth surfaces create less.
Control variables: same object, same starting position, same ramp angle. Change only the surface.
Try the experiment at different ramp angles. Does the friction ranking change?
This is a genuine science fair project framework. Add a hypothesis, data table, and conclusion for a complete experiment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 30 min, with 10 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: large cardboard piece for ramp, books (for ramp elevation), sandpaper, aluminum foil, felt, wax paper, towel, small toy car or wooden block, tape, and 2 more items.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 8-12 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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