Steady Free Fall

The main problem-solving tasks for the student here are :

• To get a sense for motion under gravity.

• To make sense of the graph and to grasp the characteristic "vertical velocity"

• To identify and accurately describe the properties of the rail shape and the effect these have on the motion of the bead.

• And then to bring together interpretation of the graph and appreciation of rail shape to produce constant vertical velocity.

We hope that this challenge will provide a rich opportunity for students to develop their reasoning and communication skills as they work to produce a good commentary on features and effects.