Sliding into science

Vernon Clarke

Head of Learning - Science

Year 11 Physics students visited O'Briens Ice House in Docklands.

Before hitting the ice, students explored Newton’s Laws of Motion and discussed how these principles apply to movement on a slippery surface. Importantly, they also examined the concepts of impulse and momentum, learning how understanding these can help reduce the risk of injury when falling! Equipped with helmets and plenty of enthusiasm, the students took to the rink, where instructors praised them as one of the most engaged and capable groups they’d taught.

The trip to the ice-skating rink wasn’t just for fun - students headed there to use the curling facilities for some hands-on motion and momentum experiments. 

Each group designed their own investigation based on the SUVAT equations of physics, carefully measuring how the curling stones moved across the ice. While not every group got perfect results, most were able to gather some useful data and reflect on the challenges of collecting accurate measurements in such a slippery environment!

Click on the photos to enlarge.