Science Projects on Step Motion

Simple projects, like throwing dice, test different theories of motion and their outcomes.

Motion projects are essentially projects on physics. Gravity and motion affect everything in our lives, so science projects on different types of motion can be interesting and informative. Step motion involves the different steps it takes to perform a motion or the energy it takes to move an object from one place to another.

Swing on a Pendulum

For this project, students will need an outside playground with a swing set. Have a student sit on a swing and have her partner push her gently. The student on the swing should not pump. Then, have the partner push the student on the swing very hard. Finally, have the student on the swing pump and swing themselves. Count how many times in one minute for each setting the student on the swing goes back and forth. Does adding the force of pumping to the motion change the result?

Centrifugal Force

This science project tests the energy produced by centrifugal motion. Have students thread a 5-foot piece of fishing line through an empty spool of thread. Tie a 1 oz. object to one end of the fishing line. Attach a 1 lb. rock to the other end of the fishing line. The next step is to have the students hold the spool so that the rock dangles down to the floor about 10 inches. At the same time, they need to rotate the 1 oz. object in a horizontal circle above their head. As the object spins, have the student release their grip on the bottom string. The centrifugal force from the light object spinning will make the heavy object begin to rise on the string. Record your findings.

Propellers

For high school students, testing the size of propellers on motion produced is a challenging science fair project. Students use four different size propellers. These can typically be from box fans or other types of fans. Be sure the propellers are the same in every respect except for their size. They should be the same material with the same amount of blades and the same size motor for the results to be accurate. Place a small object in front of one of the fans and record the time and distance it moves under the highest setting on the fan. Repeat for each of the four fans with the same object and record your results.

Javelin Throw

This science fair project tests how the angle of take-off of a javelin affects the distance it travels. Each step in the process of throwing the javelin affects the distance, so the conditions for the throwing should be the same except for the angle. Choose one student from the group or partnership to do the throwing. For each throw, adjust the size of the angle in four ways: 65 degrees, 45 degrees, 25 degrees and straight. For each throw, record the distance the javelin travels.

References

• Science Projects: Physics Science Fair Projects
• All Science Fair Projects: Forces and Motion