Find out the velocity of an object if we add different weights to it when we let it go down the ramp going pass the light gates.

Investigation on the Velocity

Of a Block of Wood With

Various Weights On

PLAN

Aim

My aim of this investigation is to find out the velocity of an object if we add different weights to it when we let it go down the ramp going pass the light gates.

Apparatus

2 light gates

Ramp

Computer

2 clamps

2 stands

Weights

Block of wood

Diagram

Prediction

My prediction for the investigation is that if you add any weights to the object the velocity of the object will not change rapidly, I predict this because everything falls at the same velocity no matter what it weighs. Unless one of the objects has a bigger air resistance that is pushing against it. I know that everything falls at the same velocity because I did some research on the Internet and other sources of information such as science books.

E.g. The apple and feather.

Fair Testing

I will make the investigation a fair test by: -

Letting the object roll or slide down the ramp and not force it by pushing it with my hands.
Keeping the light gates the same distance between each other
Keeping the ramp at the same angle for each test
Not deliberately inflicting friction upon the wooden block

Controlling the Variables

I will not change the distance between the light gates because it will let the block of wood slide down the ramp for a longer period of time causing the result to be odd and different from the rest of the recorded results.
I will not push the object down the ramp because it will give a high increase to the wooden block’s velocity. This will cause the block to reach the other light gate a lot quicker than it should do; this will cause the results to be odd and different from the rest of the recorded results.
I will not increase the angle of the ramp because it will cause the block of wood to slide down the ramp a lot quicker because the ramp’s angle is getting closer to the vertical drop which causes the velocity of the wooden block to increase.
I will not add deliberate friction on the wooden block by not putting anything on the wooden block or ramp, which will slow down the velocity of the block.

Method

This is a preview of the whole essay

Method

First we will set up our apparatus as shown in the diagram then we will choose a distance between each of the light gates so we know that the distance between the light gate’s haven’t changed. Then we will get a block of wood and stick a weight to the block of wood using blue-tack. After we have stuck the weight to the block of wood we will weigh the block of wood on the scale and record the weight. We will then let the block of wood slide down the ramp then the computer will have then calculated the velocity of the block of wood going down the ramp. We will do the same experiment five times so we can get a more accurate result and work out the average velocity of the block of wood with one weight.

We will then put two weights on the block and stick the weights to the block with blue-tack. After we have stuck the weight to the block of wood we will weigh the block of wood on the scale and record the weight. We will then let the block of wood slide down the ramp then the computer will have then calculated the velocity of the block of wood going down the ramp. We will do the same experiment five times so we can get a more accurate result and work out the average velocity of the block of wood with two weights.

We will then put three weights on the block and stick the weights to the block with blue-tack. After we have stuck the weight to the block of wood we will weigh the block of wood on the scale and record the weight. We will then let the block of wood slide down the ramp then the computer will then have calculated the velocity of the block of wood going down the ramp. We will do the same experiment five times so we can get a more accurate result and work out the average velocity of the block of wood with three weights.

We will then put four weights on the block and stick the weights to the block with blue-tack. After we have stuck the weight to the block of wood we will weigh the block of wood on the scale and record the weight. We will then let the block of wood slide down the ramp then the computer will then have calculated the velocity of the block of wood going down the ramp. We will do the same experiment five times so we can get a more accurate result and work out the average velocity of the block of wood with four weights.

We will then put five weights on the block and stick the weights to the block with blue-tack. After we have stuck the weight to the block of wood we will weigh the block of wood on the scale and record the weight. We will then let the block of wood slide down the ramp then the computer will then have calculated the velocity of the block of wood going down the ramp. We will do the same experiment five times so we can get a more accurate result and work out the average velocity of the block of wood with five weights.

We will calculate the average for one of the experiments by adding up the five results and dividing them by 5 to get the average total, we will do this for the rest of the other four experiments.

OBTAINING EVIDENSE

ANALYSIS

Graph

Conclusion

In my investigation on the velocity of an object with various weights added to it I discovered that adding weights to the wooden block doesn’t have a big impact on an objects velocity. I discovered this by looking at the best line of fit on the graph, which is the line from the first result to the last result.

I also discovered that friction can have a big effect on an objects velocity if it is present.

Patterns in the Graph

I discovered in the graph there is a weird pattern because: -

The velocity of the block going down the ramp with one weight is 81 cm/s,

Then it decreases to 75 cm/s as it goes down the ramp with two weights,

Then it increases to 79 cm/s as it goes down the ramp with three weights,

Then decreases again to 77 cm/s as it goes down the ramp with four weights,

Then it increases again to 80 cm/s as it goes down the ramp with five weights.

I think the reason for these odd results is because of the weights scraping against the side of the ramp, which was causing friction upon the block of wood.

I also discovered if you draw a line from the block of wood with one weight to the block of wood with five weights there is only a 1 cm/s decrease in velocity between them both.

The line drawn from the first result to the last result is called “The best line of fit.”

EVALUATION

I think my method is good and accurate so that if someone else who had not done the experiment could follow my method and not get confused or stuck.

I think my results are accurate because I did the each experiment five times and worked out the average for a more accurate result.

I think that my results are accurate towards the five experiments I did for each one but the results I got look odd when they are displayed on the graph. I think this is because of friction occurring between the ramp and block of wood when it is going down the ramp.

My results are not very reliable because they look odd but if I were to do the investigation again I would do each experiment 10 times so that I get more accurate results to when I come to work out the average result and I would also use a wider ramp so friction cannot take place.

I think the reason for getting odd results is due to the friction of the block of wood rubbing against the side of the ramp.

The results I have are sufficient enough to come to a conclusion because of

“The best line of fit” that is drawn from the first result to the last result, from this information I can reach a conclusion.

Additional Experiment

To extend my investigation in this subject I could of looked at the velocity of the wooden block with deliberate friction added to the block of wood to see how much friction can reduce the velocity of the wooden block by comparing the results with the results I have now.

If this experiment was carried out I would have used sand paper that would of been stuck to the bottom of the block of wood to cause the deliberate friction between the wooden block and the ramp.

This experiment would have been good to see how friction effects our lives by looking at the good points of friction and the bad points of friction such as: -

Friction between the rubber tyre and road to help the car stay on the road and not slide of so we are safe from any danger.
Friction between the body of the car and the air resistance which causes the car to loose acceleration.
Friction in a cars piston engine which causes: -