Speed LabSpeed Labby Student X

Speed of Rolling Objects (RV) versus Slope of the Ramp (MV)

Do you feel the need for speed?

How do we make something go faster?If skiers like steeper slopes in order to go faster, can we prove that if we increase the steepnessof a ramp, a ball will roll down it faster?

The problem will be solved if we use theScientific Method correctly.

Observations

Experiment QuestionIf we change the steepness or slope of a ramp,What will happen to the speed of a ball rolling down it?

The speed of the rolling ball will increase as the slope of the rampincreases.

Hypothesis

Materials needed: Whiteboard (1 meter x 0.8 meter) Dry erase markerMeter stickSmall ball or marbleStopwatchBooks Protractor Procedures:Step 1. Use meter stick to mark starting line and finish line 80 cm apartStep 2. Place one textbook under one end of whiteboard with starting line on the elevated side. Measure and record the angle of slope with protractor. Step 3. Carefully measure the time it takes for ball to roll from the start to finish. Record time in data table and repeat three more times.Step 4. Add two more textbooks so that there are three identical books under end with starting line. Measure and record the angle of slope.Step 5. Repeat Step 3.Step 6. Increase the slope again by adding two more books (5 total),Measure and record angle. Repeat Step 3.

The Experiment

1 book 3 books 5 books

Data Table

Slope of Ramp versus Speed of Ball

1 3 5

Trial 1 (sec.) 2.7 1.5 0.7

Trial 2 (sec.) 2.6 1.7 0.8

Trial 3 (sec.) 2.8 1.7 0.7

Trial 4 (sec.) 2.7 1.6 0.7

Best Value 2.7 1.625 0.725

Uncertainty 0.1 0.1 0.05

Speed (cm/sec.) 30 49 110

Speed = Distance / Time

S = 80 cm / Best Value

Number of books (angle of slope)

Graph (Data Analysis)Speed of Ball vs. Slope of Ramp

30

49

110

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1 2 3 4 5

Number of Books

Speed of Ball (cm/sec)

ConclusionWe thought that if the slope of a ramp were increased,the speed of a ball rolling down it would also increase.The evidence gathered from our tests support our hypothesis. As we increased the steepness of the ramp,the speed of the ball did increase.

When there was one book under the ramp, the speed ofthe ball was 30 cm/sec. With three books, the speed was 49 cm/sec., and with five books, the speed was 110 cm/sec.By conducting our experiments scientifically, (controlling all variables except the slope of the ramp) we have proventhat the steeper the slope of a ramp, the faster a ball will roll down it.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to all of the students that madethis Lab fun.

Photos were gathered from Google Images.