Name:
Date:
Period:
Marble Lab
You can measure how far a moving object travels. You can also measure the time
required for an object to travel a certain distance. With the measurements of distance and
time, you can determine the average speed of an object by using the following formula:
Average speed = distance / time
Materials
Grooved ruler
Stopwatch
Marble
Meter stick
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
Arrange the apparatus as demonstrated by your teacher. You will measure the motion of the
marble when it is traveling on the level surface. You will release the marble from the same point
on the ramp each time.
Measure the first ramp height in centimeters. Release the marble. When the marble reaches the
table, start your stopwatch. When you marble reaches the end of the meter stick, stop your
stopwatch. Record your observations and calculations in the data table. Make three trials for this
ramp height and average them to get the average time.
Repeat step 2 using 2 different ramp heights. Record your observations and calculations in the
Data table.
4. Graph your results for each ramp height using the average distance and average time
Data Table (Make sure to label all of your units)
Ramp
Height
Distance
Traveled
Time
Average time of all
trials
Average Speed
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Show all of your work here:
Observations
Questions
Procedures
Total
/5
/5
/5
/15
Name:
Date:
Period:
Questions
1. What is the relationship of the average speed to the height of the ramp?
2. Would you find about the same average speed if you measured only 50 cm or if
you measured 200 cm? Explain your answer in detail.
3. Did you get the exact time each time you dropped the marble for a given ramp
height? Explain why or why not.
4. Would you get the same speed of the marble if you dropped a larger sized
marble? Try it and see if you get the same results.
5. What is a reference point? What was reference point used in this lab?
6. Do you think the marble is traveling at a constant speed during this lab? Explain
your answer.