The Sole Purpose
Recommended for grades K–5.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered how shoe companies decide what kind of sole to put on the bottom of their shoes? This activity explores the heat produced by friction on different sole materials. You will rub a Go!Temp temperature probe back and forth across several different shoe soles to collect temperature data. Then you will compare and analyze your results to decide why different shoes have soles made from different materials.
Objectives
In this activity, you will
- Predict which shoe sole will get the hottest and which will stay the coolest.
- Compare the temperatures of different line graphs and analyze your data.
- Discuss the purpose of each type of shoe, and why the sole is made from that material.
Sensors and Equipment
This experiment requires each of the following Vernier sensors and equipment (unless otherwise noted):
Additional Requirements
You may also need an interface and software for data collection. What do I need for data collection?
Download Experiment Preview
The student-version preview includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for computer-based data collection
- List of materials and equipment
Note: The experiment preview of the computer edition does not include essential teacher information, safety tips, or sample data. Instructions for Logger Pro and other software (such as LabQuest App or TI handheld software, where available) are on the CD that accompanies the book. We strongly recommend that you purchase the book before performing experiments.
Standards Correlations
See all standards correlations for Elementary Science with Vernier »
Included in the Lab Book
Vernier lab books include a CD with word-processing files of the student instructions, essential teacher information, suggested answers, sample data and graphs, and more.