Friction and Rolling Distance

Roll the same ball across four surfaces and compare how far it travels.

Investigation question

How does surface type affect how far a ball travels?

Choose Select a surface.
Test Roll and reset for 3 trials.
Compare Use the average distances.

Science idea: Friction is a contact force that opposes motion. A surface that slows the ball sooner has more friction. The ball, ramp angle, and release point stay the same so surface type is the only tested difference.

Roll the ball

Distance is measured from the bottom of the ramp.

Run your trials

3 trials per surface

Kept the same: The ramp angle, ball, and release point stay the same.

1. Choose a surface

Trial progress

3. Compare the results

Each result is recorded automatically.

Surface	Trial 1 (cm)	Trial 2 (cm)	Trial 3 (cm)	Average (cm)

Interpret the data: A longer distance means less friction. A shorter distance means more friction.