Name:__________________________________ Date:_________________ Homeroom: A
B
The Marble Launcher – An Experiment on Speed and Motion
Procedure:
1. Make a marble launcher out of the index card provided. Make a mark on the launcher for the
marble’s starting location.
2. Place a piece of tape in front of the launcher; this is your starting point.
3. Use a meter stick to place a piece of tape 1 meter from your starting point. This is your finish line and
your independent variable.
4. Roll a marble down the launcher. Use a stopwatch to time it as it travels from the starting point to the
finish line. Repeat this procedure two more times and calculate the average of the three times you
recorded (add all the times together and divide by three). This is your dependent variable.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for finish lines at 2 meters and 3 meters.
Initial Hypothesis: What do you think the relationship is between the speed of the object and the
distance it travels? If the distance increases, what will happen to the speed? Will it increase or
decrease? Why? Write your thoughts on the lines below.
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Distance = 1m
Speed
Trial Time (distance/time)
#
(s)
(d/t)
Distance = 2m
Speed
Trial Time (distance/time)
#
(s)
(d/t)
Distance = 3m
Speed
Trial Time (distance/time)
#
(s)
(d/t)
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
avg
avg
avg
Conclusion – Was your hypothesis correct? Did the marble roll at the same speed for each distance?
Write at least four lines that describe your findings for this experiment and explain your results.
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Using graph paper, create a graph of the speed for each trial. Put the dependent variable (time) on the
x-axis and the independent variable (distance) on the y-axis. Connect the points using a best-fit line. All
three trials should be plotted on the same graph, using a different colored pencil for each trial.