Billy Cart Wheels
- Measure the diameter of each Billy cart wheel and use this information to calculate the circumference of each wheel.
- How many revolutions will each wheel make over a distance of 1 km?
Wheel size |
Diameter |
Circumference |
Revolutions |
small |
__________ |
__________ |
__________ |
medium |
__________ |
__________ |
__________ |
large |
__________ |
__________ |
__________ |
Investigation
- Would wheels with a larger diameter roll faster or slower than wheels with a smaller diameter?
- What other factors might influence how fast a wheel rolls?
Procedure
1. Choose three wheels of different sizes.
2. Mark out a length of ground, with start and finish line.
2. Use a ramp at the start line to launch the wheels.
4. Hold the wheel still at the top of the ramp. Release.
5. Time how long to reach the finish line, using a stop watch. Record the time.
6. Repeat 3 times for each wheel. Average the 3 times.
1. Choose three wheels of different sizes.
2. Mark out a length of ground, with start and finish line.
2. Use a ramp at the start line to launch the wheels.
4. Hold the wheel still at the top of the ramp. Release.
5. Time how long to reach the finish line, using a stop watch. Record the time.
6. Repeat 3 times for each wheel. Average the 3 times.
size of wheel |
distance |
time |
small |
__________ |
__________ |
medium |
__________ |
__________ |
large |
__________ |
__________ |
Record your observations
- Note any problems you encountered in completing your investigation.
- Which wheel would you recommend to the billy cart makers? Why?