Bio A

Bouncing Ball

We will do many experiments that involve collecting data in two different ways. When we only make observations but collect no numerical data, we call these a qualitative observations. When we do collect some sort of numerical data through the use of a measuring device, we call this a quantitative observation.

Lab Procedure

Part A (Qualitative study)

  1. Stand the meter stick on the ground so the 0cm mark is on the ground.
  1. Hold the ball so the bottom of the ball is even with the 100cm mark of the meter stick. Drop the ball.
  1. Observe the behavior of the ball (type of bounce, does the ball roll away?, straightness of bounce, etc.).
  1. Record these observations in data table A.
  1. Repeat steps 1-4 of this qualitative study two additional times looking for any changes in your observations.

Part B (Quantitative study)

  1. Stand the meter stick on the ground so the 0cm mark is on the ground.
  1. Hold the ball so the bottom of the ball is even with the 100cm mark of the meter stick.
  1. Drop the ball and carefully measure the height the bottom of the ball returns to after the first bounce.
  1. Record this height in data table B.
  1. Repeat this for three trials.
  1. Hold the ball so the bottom of the ball is even with the 90cm mark of the meter stick.
  1. Drop the ball and carefully measure the height the bottom of the ball returns to after the first bounce
  1. Record this height in data table B.
  1. Repeat this for three trials.
  1. Repeat process to complete data table.
  1. Average the numbers of reach trial and graph the data.

Data Table A

Trial One: Observations
Trial Two: Observations
Trial Three: Observations

Data Table B

Starting Height (cm) / Bounce Height (cm) / Average Bounce Height
Trial 1 / Trial 2 / Trial 3
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

Graphing Your Data

  1. Create a full page graph with your results using graph paper.
  2. The independent variable (starting height) will go on the horizontal (x) axis.
  3. Label the axis.
  4. The dependent variable (bounce height) will go on the vertical (y) axis.
  5. Label with both a name and the unit (cm).
  6. Plot allpoints from the three (3) trials.
  7. Draw a line of best fit.
  8. Title your graph on the top of the page with a descriptive title.
  9. Staple the graph to this worksheet

Lab Questions

  1. Describe the overall trend in your line graph.
  1. Draw a conclusion from the graph using evidence and data to support your conclusion.
  1. Which types of observations havelessbias: qualitative or quantitative observations? Explain why.
  1. Use your graph to predict how high the ball will bounce if you starting height was 64 cm. Record your prediction below, then test it by conducting that trial.

Predicted height:______Actual height:______