CLASS SET. DO NOT WRITE ON ME.
Ramps and Sliders Inquiry Lab
Purpose: Students will investigate a component of Newton’s three Laws of Motion and determine how changes in that variable affect a system.
Background Information: Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
1. Law of Inertia – objects at rest will remain at rest and objects in motion will remain in motion unless a net force acts upon them.
2. F = ma
3. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
Experimental Design Procedure: In the experimental set-up shown below a ball is rolled down an incline plane and into a cup pushing the cup forward a certain distance. Generate a list of at least five variables that could be changed in this experiment and describe which of Newton’s three laws applies to each variable. Select one of the variables; discuss how changing the variable will affect how far the cup is moved, form a hypothesis, and design an experiment to test your hypothesis. You may use the limited supply of materials or your group may supply their own.
Figure 1 – Lab set-up for ramps and sliders
Lab report: Use the lab report template provided to prepare a report of your findings that utilizes technology tools and is professional in appearance.
Lab Report Template and Rubric
Title: (5 pts.)
* a brief, concise, yet descriptive title
Statement of the Problem: (10 pts.)
* What question(s) are you trying to answer?
* Include any preliminary observations or background information about the subject
Hypothesis (if…then…format): (10 pts)
* Write a possible solution for the problem.
* Make sure this possible solution is a complete sentence.
* Make sure the statement is testable.
Materials: (5 pts.)
* Make a list of ALL items and their amounts used in the lab.
Procedure: (15 pts.)
* Write a numbered list (complete sentences) which explains what you did in the lab.
* Your procedure should be written so that anyone else could repeat the experiment.
Results (Data): (15 pts)
* This section should include an organized data table, observations, or additional notes and calculations you make during the lab.
* You may attach a separate sheet(s) if necessary.
* All tables and charts should be labeled appropriately.
Results (Graph): (15 pts)
* This section should include an organized graph reflecting the data you collected during the lab.
* Be sure your graph has an appropriate title, labeled x and y axes including units, correctly plotted data, and a key/legend if necessary.
Conclusions: (20 pts)
* Briefly describe the problem and your experiment including a summary of the data.
* Accept or reject your hypothesis using data from the lab. (Explain)
* List one thing you learned and describe how it applies to a real-life situation.
*Discuss possible errors that could have occurred in the collection of the data and describe one way to improve the experiment if it were repeated.