Bouncing Ball Lab
Name _______________________
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Scientists use an organized set of steps when they solve problems or perform investigations.
This organized set of steps is called the Scientific Method. There are many versions of the
scientific method, but most include the following steps: recognize a Problem, Research the
problem, form a Hypothesis, make a Prediction based on the hypothesis, Design an experiment
to test the prediction, Perform the experiment, Collect experimental data, Organize the
experimental data, Analyze the experimental data, and Communicate the results of the
experiment.
For this activity, you are going to investigate the effect the height you drop a ball from has on its
bounce height. You are to use a scientific method to do this investigation.
Materials:
Ball & Meter Stick
Problem:
What is the problem you are trying to solve?
Hypothesis:
Write a testable hypothesis for this problem. Remember, a testable hypothesis is possibly
incorrect and can have an experiment designed to test it.
Write your hypothesis/prediction as an If…, then… statement.
(Note: In this case your hypothesis is also your prediction)
Experiment:
Design an experiment to test your hypothesis/prediction. Write down the steps you are
going to take during this experiment in a way that someone else could repeat the
experiment exactly the way you do. As you design this experiment, be sure to pay
attention to the independent variable (the variable that you change in the experiment), the
dependent variables (the variable that is affected by changing the independent variable),
and any control variables (variables that you want to keep constant so they don’t affect
the results of your experiment).
Collect and Organize the Results of our Experiment:
Organize your results in a table.
Draw a complete graph of your experimental results. Use a scatter plot and fit your data
points with a smooth curve/line. Remember to include a title and label your axes
including units. The dependent variable should be placed on the vertical axis (y) and the
independent variable should be placed on the horizontal axis (x).
Analyze the Data:
Compare your results to your hypothesis. As you write this section, remember the three
possible outcomes when testing a hypothesis (correct, incorrect or no conclusion) Be
sure to support your conclusion by referring to your results.
Questions:
1)
In your experiment, what was your independent variable?
2)
In your experiment, what was your dependent variable?
3)
List three things you needed to keep constant as you performed this experiment.
4)
There are many different variables that would affect the bounce height of a ball. List
three.
5)
Choose one of the variables you listed in #4, and design an experiment to test it. You are
NOT going to perform this experiment.
Problem:
Hypothesis:
Experiment:
Be sure to identify the independent variable, the dependent variable and any variables you held
constant.
Testing a Better Mousetrap
You have designed the perfect mouse trap, except for one thing. You need to have a bowling ball roll down a 3 foot long ramp and land in a bucket,
unfortunately you don’t know how steep the ramp should be. Design an experiment to determine the effect the steepness of a ramp has on the speed
of a rolling bowling ball. You will need to use the proper steps in the scientific method and discuss the independent variable, the dependent variable
and any variables you must control for you experiment.
4-
32–
A well designed experiment using a scientific method with an independent variable, a dependent variable and controls for all other variables. An explanation for why
each experimental step is important. Uses proper critical vocabulary in response (hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, control variable, testable, theory,
law, fact, ……)
A well designed experiment using a scientific method with an independent variable, a dependent variable and controls for all other variables. An explanation for why
each experimental step is important.
A well designed experiment using a scientific method with an independent variable, a dependent variable and controls for all other variables.
In the top set of squares, copy the scoring guide as it is written above. Place the criteria for a “4” in the first box, “3” in the second and “2” in the third. A “1” is not even being
considered here, so leave it blank. In the bottom set of squares rewrite the criteria for each score in your own words. Then answer the question on the back.
NOTHING
HERE
W.E.
don’t play
here !!!!!!!!