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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

DISCUSS:

Why do you think scientists call falling dominoes a “chain reaction”?

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!

Discuss (1 of 2):

Look at the "Wonder" column of your class See-Think-Wonder chart. Have any questions been answered by this Mystery?

Use the drawing of the Rube Goldberg machine to help you.

Discuss (2 of 2):

What would happen if a piece was removed from the Rube Goldberg machine?

Get a new Rube Goldberg Machine conceptual model worksheet and add your new learning from Mysteries 3 and 4.

1. Label the objects that start to move because of a collision with another object.

2. Draw a dashed line that traces the path of energy through the Rube Goldberg machine.

3. Use a star to show all of the places energy is transferred between objects along the path.