Experiment with a Ball and Ramp - Mr. Green's Science Class



Names __________________________________________ Period ________ date ____________

Experiment with a Ball and Ramp

Student Task Sheet

Task:

You will observe a ball rolling down a ramp and moving a plastic cup. You will then identify some variables that would affect how far the cup moves. Finally, you will formulate a hypothesis and design an experiment to test it.

Set Up:

Assemble the materials as shown.

Directions:

1. Find the mass of the cup to the nearest 0.1 gram. Record this data on table 1.

2. Be sure the cup is on the Starting Circle (on the measuring strip), with the opening facing the end of the ruler, at the start of each trial.

3. Place the golf ball on the ruler so the middle of the ball is at the 15.0 cm mark on the ruler. Without pushing the ball, carefully release the ball so it rolls down the ramp and goes into the cup. Note the distance the cup moves.

4. Record the distance the cup moves on table 1. Record the distance to the nearest 0.1 cm.

5. With the cup to the Starting Circle, release the golf ball from the 20 cm mark on the ruler. Record the distance the cup moves to the nearest 0.1 cm on table 1.

6. With the cup to the Starting Circle, release the golf ball from the 25 cm mark on the ruler. Record the distance the cup moves to the nearest 0.1 cm on table 1. Repeat this step two more times. Be sure to measure carefully to the nearest 0.1 cm. Find the average of these three trials.

Data Table 1

|Mass of Cup (g) |Ball’s Release Point (cm) |Distance Cup Moved (cm) | |

| |10.0 | | |

| |15.0 | | |

| |20.0 | | |

| |25.0 | |25 cm average distance |

| |25.0 | | |

| |25.0 | | |

7. What was the independent variable? ______________________________________________

8. What was the dependent variable? ________________________________________________

9. Was there a control group? Explain. ______________________________________________

10. Use the following grid to make a line graph of the results shown in Data Table 1. The independent variable always goes on the X-axis and the dependent variable goes on the y-axis. Be sure to label and number the axes and give your graph a title. (use the average 25 cm data)

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11. Use the following grid to make a line graph of the results shown in DataTable 2. The independent variable always goes on the X-axis and the dependent variable goes on the y-axis. Be sure to label and number the axes and give your graph a title.

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12. Does the data support your hypothesis? Refer to the graph in your explanation.

13. How could you make your experiment better or more accurate?

14. A student designs an experiment where they change the mass of the cup and the height of the ramp at the same time. Why would this be a poor experiment?

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1 text book

ruler

0 cm

mark

28 cm mark

Use a loop of tape underneath the ruler to hold the ends down

Upside down container with hole towards ruler

Paper ruler

Setup Check (teacher initials)___________

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