Woodvale Secondary College Science Department
INQUIRY SKILLS: INCLINED PLANES
Name:
Date:
Teacher:
Pre-Lab Questions
1. What do you think the following words mean?
inclined
plane
The Lab
Aim: To investigate how changing the length of an inclined plane effects the size of the force
required to raise an object to a given height.
Equipment




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Inclined plane with pulley
Roller
1 N and 2.5N Force Meters
0.5m ruler
String
Variables
Read the method that follows. What are the variables in this investigation?
Independent
Dependent
(the factor being
tested)
(the results
being collected)
Controlled
(the factors that
stay the samemore than 1)
Hypothesis
If ___________________________________________________________________________
then _________________________________________________________________________
2. Explain why it is important that we control variables in an experiment like this.
Method
1. Tie a 30cm length of string to the
roller.
2. Using the inclined plane, set the
angle so that the very end is
10cm above the ground.
3. Measure the length of the
inclined plane and record in the
table.
4. Thread the string through the
pulley and attach force meter.
5. Measure the force required to roll
the mass up the inclined plane (with a constant speed) to the 10cm high end.
6. Do two more trials for the same angle.
7. Increase the angle and locate the new position that is 10cm above the ground.
8. Measure the length of the inclined plane to the point that is that is 10cm above
the ground.
9. Measure the force required to roll the mass up the inclined plane (with a constant
speed) to the 10cm high point.
10. Do two more trials for the same angle.
11. Repeat steps for 3 more angles.
12. Without using the inclined plane, slowly lift the roller vertically 10cm with a
constant speed.
13. Record the force required. This inclined plane now has a 10cm length.
Table 1. Effort Force Vs. Length of the Ramp
Inclined Plane
Length (cm)
Effort Force Required (N)
Height (cm)
Trial 1
10
10
10
10
10
10
(straight up)
10
Trial 2
3
average
3. What type of graph is best to present the data in for this experiment? Give a reason for your
choice.
Draw a suitable graph of the data.
Don’t forget to:


Use a ruler and a pencil.
Give it a Title


Label the axes
Have units on the axes (in brackets)
Post-Lab Questions
4. Explain why it is important that we conduct multiple trials in an experiment like this.
5. How does an inclined plane change the force required to raise an object to a higher level?
6. What happens to the force required to move the object as the slope becomes steeper?
Conclusion:
Did the results support the hypothesis? (You may use the following statement as a starting
point.)
In conclusion, the results of the experiment [did or did not] support the hypothesis which
stated .. If [what was done] then ….. [this would happen]