An Apple on a Desk

Mrs. Charles pointed to an apple sitting on her desk.  She asked her students to describe any forces acting on the apple.  This is what some of her students said.

Warren: "The only force acting on the apple is air pressure"

Kaitlyn: "There is one force acting on the apple. Gravity is the force that pulls on the apple."

Claire: " There are two forces:  the desk pushes up on the apple and gravity pulls downward on the apple"

Jaikin: " There are many forces acting on the apple; but, it is the holding force in the apple that keeps it on the desk"

Amy: " There are no forces acting on the apple because the desk stops any forces from acting on it"

Which student do you most agree with?  Why?  Explain your thinking.  What rule or reasoning did you use to decide if there were any forces acting on the apple?

If someone has already left a comment please read and either agree or disagree.  Provide an explanation for your answer.  Disagreeing respectful is perfectly acceptable!

Prompts are based on the book uncovering student ideas in science by Page Keeley and Joyce Tugel

The Cay - Chapter 6

Choose two questions from this list and respond with supporting evidence from the text.

(1) Why did Philip fall off the raft?
(2) Why did Timothy get so angry?
(3) Why did Philip not want to go on the island?
(4) Would you have chosen to stay on the raft or go to the island?  Give the reasons for your choice.

Don't forget to make sticky notes for the different kinds of conflict in the chapter and be prepared to share tomorrow.