Odd One Out

Forces: Friction and Gravity

Watch:Just for fun, which marble do you think will win this epic marble run rally?

Can you make a marble run in the sand at the beach? What about a slow marble run with cardboard and sticky tape?

What are the forces in action when making a marble run?

Friction: The force that slows objects down when they are rubbing against each other. Some things make lots of friction, like brakes on a tire, and some make very little friction, like skates on ice.

Gravity: A force of attraction that occurs between all objects. We experience it as the constant force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth.

Drag: The slowing down of something as it moves through air, water, or other fluid, which causes friction. A race car experiences drag because of air pushing against it as it goes around the track.