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DISCUSS:
When you set up a domino, you’re putting part of it up high. Can you think of any other situation where putting something ‘up high’ causes something special to happen?
Hint...
Think about things you might have seen in an earlier lesson.
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DISCUSS (1 of 2):
Can a domino knock down one that’s just slightly bigger than itself?
Try doing this yourself if you can. You can use books if you don’t have dominoes. Or you can go to the next slide to see a video of us doing it.
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HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED:
It worked! A domino has just enough energy to knock down a domino that’s slightly bigger than itself. Now that you know this, go to the next slide.
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DISCUSS (2 of 2):
CHALLENGE: Do you think there could be a way to knock down something REALLY big, like a domino as tall as a building, using only smaller dominoes?
Draw a picture if you can think of an idea.
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DISCUSS:
In terms of energy, why is it possible to use something the size of a brick to knock down something the size of a small house?
Can you explain this? Make a drawing if it’s helpful.
Think about: Where is there stored energy? Where does the stored energy come from?
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DISCUSS:
Why do you think scientists call falling dominoes a “chain reaction”?
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If you have a friend nearby, you can help each other with the next few steps. But if you are working alone, don’t worry!
We have added some special steps just for you. If a step says you need a friend to help, just go to the next step to see how you can do it alone!
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In this lesson, students construct an explanation of how energy is stored, released, and transferred in chain reactions, such as falling dominoes. In the activity, Build a Chain Reaction (Part I), students are presented with an engineering design challenge to create their own chain reaction machine--a project they will continue in Lesson 5. Students experiment with a “Chain-Reaction Starter Kit.” This kit includes a lever and a ramp, which serve as the first two steps of a chain-reaction machine.
Preview activity| Chain-Reaction Starter Kit printout | Print 30 copies |
| Marble Corral printout | Print 30 copies |
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Markers
Must be at least 1/2" in diameter because it will serve as the fulcrum of a lever.
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Details
30 markers
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Rulers
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30 rulers |
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Scissors
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30 pairs |
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Dixie Cups (3 oz)
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30 cups |
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File Folder Labels (Stickers)
We prefer stickers because they are easier to distribute in a classroom.
Or pieces of tape.
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Details
90 labels
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Paper Clips
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30 clips |
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Paper Cups (8 oz)
Cup cannot be more than 4" tall.
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Details
30 cups
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Rubber Bands (#32)
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30 bands |
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Small Marbles
1/2" marbles will also work.
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Details
30 marbles
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We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own, but will need a partner to help with some steps.
We strongly recommend pairing this lesson with Lesson 5, “Can you build a chain reaction machine?” If you plan to do Lesson 5, don’t throw away the ramps that your students build in this lesson. Students will use these ramps when creating their very own chain reaction machine.
Marbles are very fun, but can be very distracting! We suggest waiting to distribute marbles to students until Step 17 of the activity.
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