Investigating the Speed of a Marble Rolling Down a Variable Ramp

This graph helps to show my prediction; as the height of the ramp increases so will the speed of the marble.

List of Apparatus

• Books (to vary the height of the ramp)

• Ramp

• Marble

• Ruler (to measure the height of the ramp)

• Stopwatch (to measure the time)

Diagram

Method

1. Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram above.

2. Measure the height of the ramp. The height should be 5cm at this point.

3. Roll the marble down the ramp and measure the time using a stopwatch.

4. Repeat this three times and take an average.

5. Increase the height of the ramp by 5cm and repeat stage 3 and 4 again.

6. Keep increasing the height by 5cm until eventually the end of the ramp is 40cm from the ground.

7. Divide the distances by the averages to find the speed for each result.

Results Table

Conclusion

By doing this experiment I have found out that the steeper the ramp the faster a marble travels. This result matches my prediction. On m graph there is a positive correlation, this means that both factors increase simultaneously. My actual graph has very much the same pattern as my predicted graph.

Evaluation

My investigation was fair because I measured the height of the ramp rigorously to make sure it was exactly as stated and I took three results and worked out the average to make sure that any timing mistakes would be avoided. I also changed the height of the ramp many times so that the results would show a definite pattern. I only experienced on problem whilst carrying out this experiment and that was making sure the height of the ramp was accurate. If I was going to perform the investigation again I would take more results, if possible. I feel that this would make the pattern in the results, and therefore on the graph, more defined.