Ramp Height vs Distance Lab
Name ______
Date ______
per _____
Ramp Height vs Distance Lab
Purpose: To calibrate a “machine” to launch a marble from a table top a given distance onto the floor.
1. Measure and record the height of the table: ______cm
2. Adjust your ramp on the table to make a height of 40cm above the table.
3. Roll a marble down and off the end of the table.
4. Measure how far the marble landed from the end of the table.
5. Repeat 3 times and average the distances.
6. Decrease the ramp height by 5 cm.
7. Repeat the measurements for the ramp heights shown.
Ramp Height(cm) / ∆x (cm) / ∆x (cm) / ∆x (cm) / ∆xave (cm)
Trial # 1 / Trial # 2 / Trial # 3
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
8. Fill in the table to show Distances vs Ramp Height.
9. Graph Average Distance vs Ramp Height
Data Analysis:
1) From the graph, determine the ramp height necessary to make the marble land 75 cm from the table. Describe, using complete sentences, how you determined the height.
2) Without making any additional measurements, how could you determine the speed at which the marble is moving horizontally along the table? Explain using complete sentences. You do not need to do any calculations.
3) For a ramp height given to you by Mr. Szwast (______cm), determine each of the following:
a. The velocity of the ball as it leaves the table
b. The angle of the ball as it leaves the table
c. The velocity of the ball the instant before it hits the ground
d. The angle of impact of the ball with the ground
For extra points, determine the ramp height to hit the bull’s-eye placed on the floor by Mr. Szwast. Points are determined by where you hit.