Worksheet 7.1: Plasticine balls

Workshop

Teaching aids:

Sufficient plasticine of the same type is required for each group

Attention! If you have plasticine of different types, colors or companies there might be differences regarding the deformation. Therefore, it is better if each group works with only one type/color of plasticine.

Procedure:

The pupils form groups (3–4 children). The teacher poses the following instruction to the students: “Make three balls of equal size out of the plasticine. Then drop the balls on the floor from different heights. Place the balls next to each other and compare them. What do you see? Are there any differences between the balls after falling down? Thinking about why this happens.”

DIn doing so, the students should work quickly so that the groups are finished at the same time as possible. Then the results are discussed in class. In the class discussion the terms height energy and deformation energy can be introduced.

Note: To finish this worksheet successful, it is advantageous if the students have already completed task 5 and/or 6. Because then they already know the principle of energy conversion and perhaps what height energy means. Accordingly,only theterm deformation energy must be introduced to the students.