Purpose: To introduce students to physics (measuring motion) and speed

Hypothesis: Who in your lab group can chomp gum the fastest?

Safety: Don’t choke, don’t bite your tongue, and don’t drool!

Part 1: Chomper Challenge

  1. Get a piece of bubble gum
  2. Use a stopwatch to time 30 second intervals
  3. Count the number of chomps you can do in 30 seconds and record it in Table 1
  4. Repeat this 5 times
  5. Figure out the speed (to the nearest tenth) of the chomps using the following formula: Speed =

Data Table 1
Trial / # of Chomps / Time (sec) / Speed (C/sec)
1 / 30s
2 / 30s
3 / 30s
4 / 30s
5 / 30s

Analysis:

  1. What is your average speed? Round answers to the hundredth.
  1. Based on your average chomping speed, answer the following: (Show your work!)
  2. How many chomps could you do in five minutes?Hint: How many seconds are in a minutes?
  1. How many chomps could you do in onehour?
  1. How many chomps could you do in one day?

Part 2: Speedy Chompers

  1. Use a stopwatch to time 60 seconds (1 minute)
  2. Have a partner count the number of chomps you can do, record the number at 20 seconds, 40 seconds & 60 seconds (This is for speed, so chew fast!)
  3. Record the number of chomps data in table 2
  4. Figure out the speed (to the nearest tenth) of the chomps using the following formula: Speed =

Data Table 2
# of Chomps / Time (sec) / Speed (C/sec)
20s
40s
60s

Analysis:

  1. Did you chew at a constant speed? ______How can you tell?
  1. Using the numbers from table 2 make two graphs below:

Time (sec)Time (sec)

  1. Now finish calculating the speed for data tables, compare chomp speed with your lab group members to see who was the fastest and answer the following questions:
  2. Look at your average speed from part 1 and part 2, are they the same, did you maintain a constant rate? Why or why not?
  1. Write a paragraph to summarize the results of your experiment.
  1. Are your results from this lab reliable and accurate? Why do you think this?
  1. What other experiments could we do with bubble gum? Think about 3 additional experiments you could do with gum. Fill out the experimental design statement, determine the independent and dependent variables, and identify one control for each experiment. Make sure to be specific!

How does ______affect ______

Independent Variable: ______

Dependent Variable: ______

Control: ______

How does ______affect ______

Independent Variable: ______

Dependent Variable: ______

Control: ______

How does ______affect ______

Independent Variable: ______

Dependent Variable: ______

Control: ______

  1. Graph your data and data from three other students.

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