Marble and Ramp Video Lab Save My Posterior

What we know about communicating experiment design

Question: The question is the scientifically researchable question the student is attempting to answer.

Prediction/Hypothesis: The hypothesis is a possible answer to the student’s question.

• It must refer back to the question and is based on the student’s background knowledge.
• It should be an “If _____ (manipulated variable) then _____ (responding variable) because ______ ” statement.
• Avoid using pronouns (it, you, she …) and general words such as thing, stuff…

Conclusion:The conclusion is a summary paragraph. Every conclusion should:

• Restate the prediction or hypothesis.
• Clearly state whether the prediction/hypothesis was supported or rejected .
• Provide the range of data: When you changed your variable (mv) the least, what happened (rv)? When you changed your variable (mv) the most, what happened (rv)?
• Explain how the data supports or rejects the hypothesis or answers the question.

Sample Marble and Ramp Video Lab

1. Our question: How does the marble GPE affect the KE in the marble / ramp system?
2. Write your Hypothesis:  
   
   

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3. Data:

   Marble mass =   0.005 kg

   Measured Height (m)	Calculated GPE (J)	Measured Distance (m)	Measured Time (s)	Calculated Velocity (m/s)	Calculated KE (J)
   0.20	0.0098	0.15	0.20	0.75	0.0014
   0.40	0.0196	0.15	0.10	1.5	0.0056
   0.60	0.0294	0.15	0.06	2.5	0.0156

   Sample Calculations

   GPE = G×m×h GPE = 9.8 m/s/s × 0.005 kg × 0.20 m GPE = 0.0098 J

   Velocity = Δ distance ÷ Δ time Velocity = 0.15 m ÷ 0.2 s Velocity = 0.75 m/s

   K.E. = ½ × m × v2 K.E. = ½ × 0.005 kg × 0.75 m/s 2 K.E. = 0.0014 J

4. Write your Conclusion:  
   
   

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