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Angela Hutchinson Marshmallow Catapult Experiment Levers Scientific Inquiry October 3, 2013

Objectives In this experiment we are going to learn how a lever works. Then, we are going to determine if the fulcrum will affect the distance the object will travel. Safety Statement Rule #1: No snapping rubber bands at your classmates Time Requirement Approximately 30 minutes Supplies 12 tongue depressors (one with a bottle cap hot glued to it) 5 rubber bands Mini-marshmallows Procedure Step 1: Divide the class into groups of three to four students per group. *Note: when constructing the machines, have each group will use a different fulcrum on their levers. Step 2: Construct your lever. Bound ten tongue depressors together with rubber bands, place them closer to the ends of the sticks. Next, secure two depressors perpendicular to the main section by crisscrossing the rubber bands, using the fulcrum point given for your group. Then, take the shortest end and bound together with a rubber band. Finally, hot glue a bottle cap to the end on the longest end (The levers may need to be preassembled depending on the fine motor skills of the students). Step 3: Each group will launch three marshmallows (one per person) with their lever and record the data in the chart on the experiment worksheet. Step 4: Discuss and complete the experiment worksheet with your group. Step 5: When all the groups have completed the experiment worksheet then have a class discussion.

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Marshmallow Catapult Experiment Worksheet In this lab, we are going to determine if the fulcrum of the levers has an impact on the distance that an object (marshmallow) will travel. 1. Create a hypothesis to these questions: Will the fulcrum position be a factor in determining the distance the marshmallows will travel? Which lever will launch the farthest distance? Which lever will launch a shortest distance? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2. Each group will launch a marshmallow then measure the distance it traveled (3xs). Next, record the data in the chart below for your group number: Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Trial Distance Trial Distance Trial Distance 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3. Complete the chart above with the results from the other groups. Which groups lever launched marshmallows the farthest? Group 1 ________________ Group 2 ________________ Group 3 ________________ 4. Discuss with your group the differences between the levers and give a synopsis of why the levers reacted the way they did. Write some of the thoughts your group came up with ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Do the results match the hypothesis statement? If not, what might be some factors that caused the results to be different from the hypothesis statement? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________