Final answer:
In the 'Jellyfish' activity, students should learn to catch a ball with a 'give' and strike water with a diving action to mimic the efficient movement of a jellyfish in water, as opposed to rigid and forceful actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When conducting the Jellyfish activity, students should use the technique of gentle movements and awareness of their body's interaction with external forces. This activity is designed to demonstrate principles of impulse and the physical consequences of varying methods of force application. Specifically, students should:
Try catching a ball by 'giving' with the movement, gently pulling their hands toward their body to reduce the impulse. This mimics how a jellyfish might absorb shock from water currents.
Then, catch a ball without moving the hands, noting the increased force of the impact due to the lack of 'give.'
Strike water with a full palm and observe the splash, representing a less efficient, high-impact interaction like a belly flop.
Finally, dive a hand into the water fingers first, imitating a more streamlined interaction, such as a jellyfish moving through water or a swimmer diving.
In each case, the technique used affects the outcome and efficiency of movement, with students advised to avoid rigid and forceful interactions (full palm strike/belly flop) due to their higher impact and less control, demonstrating how even simple organisms like jellyfish must interact with their environment in a fluid and efficient way to thrive.