Andre is studying snails and how fast they travel. He observes three groups of snails containing four snails each. Here are the recorded observations from Andre’s notebook:
- Group A snails averaged a speed of 4.7 cm/min in a petri dish.
- Group B snails averaged a speed of 2.8 cm/min on sandpaper.
- Group C snails averaged a speed of 3.3 cm/min in the dirt.
Based on this data, what is affecting the snails’ speed?
Answer (1)
The material that the snails are moving on affects their speed. On a smooth material, (petri dish) the snails moved the fastest. On a rough material (sandpaper) the snails moved the slowest. On dirt, a compromise between smooth and rough, the snails moved at a medium pace. The material and possibly friction affect this.
