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Racing Marbles: The Race    

Two marbles will roll simultaneously on different paths, starting and ending at the same height. Students will predict and then observe the results of a “race” between the two marbles, and explain the results. Quantitative analysis of the motion will be done with photogates. Ramp A is the nearly horizontal ramp, and Ramp B dips down in the middle. Students will find that the velocities are identical at the first position, Ramp B is faster at the second position, and the velocities are identical at the third position. The marble on Ramp B, then, has the higher average velocity for the whole trip and will win the race.

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Required Equipment
Physics Workshop Racing Marbles Lab, Data Logger, 2 Photogates.

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