Names __________________________________________ Period ________ date ____________
Experiment with a Ball and Ramp
Student Task Sheet
Task:
You will observe a ball rolling down a ramp and moving a plastic cup. You will then identify some
variables that would affect how far the cup moves. Finally, you will formulate a hypothesis and design an
experiment to test it.
Set Up:
Assemble the materials as shown.
Upside down container
with hole towards ruler
28 cm mark
1 text book
ruler
0 cm
mark
Use a loop of tape
underneath the ruler
to hold the ends down
Setup Check (teacher initials)___________
Paper ruler
Directions:
1. Find the mass of the cup to the nearest 0.1 gram. Record this data on table 1.
2. Be sure the cup is on the Starting Circle (on the measuring strip), with the opening facing the end of
the ruler, at the start of each trial.
3. Place the golf ball on the ruler so the middle of the ball is at the 15.0 cm mark on the ruler. Without
pushing the ball, carefully release the ball so it rolls down the ramp and goes into the cup. Note the
distance the cup moves.
4. Record the distance the cup moves on table 1. Record the distance to the nearest 0.1 cm.
5. With the cup to the Starting Circle, release the golf ball from the 20 cm mark on the ruler. Record the
distance the cup moves to the nearest 0.1 cm on table 1.
6. With the cup to the Starting Circle, release the golf ball from the 25 cm mark on the ruler. Record the
distance the cup moves to the nearest 0.1 cm on table 1. Repeat this step two more times. Be sure to
measure carefully to the nearest 0.1 cm. Find the average of these three trials.
Data Table 1
Ball’s Release Point
Distance Cup
Mass of Cup (g)
(cm)
Moved (cm)
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25 cm average distance
7. What was the independent variable? ______________________________________________
8. What was the dependent variable? ________________________________________________
9. Was there a control group? Explain. ______________________________________________
10. Use the following grid to make a line graph of the results shown in Data Table 1. The independent
variable always goes on the X-axis and the dependent variable goes on the y-axis. Be sure to label
and number the axes and give your graph a title. (use the average 25 cm data)
11. You probably noticed that the cup traveled slightly different distances when you released the ball
three times from the 25.0 cm mark. Analyze your test. Give two reasons that might explain why the
cup did not stop at the exact same location each time.
First reason: ___________________________________________________________________
Second reason: _________________________________________________________________
12. Think about how you might design a new experiment. In this experiment you want to study how
changing the mass of the cup will change the distance moved by the golf ball. Assume that the
equipment setup is the same as it was for the first part of this experiment.
Describe your test. Be sure it is a fair test (only one independent variable, multiple trials, control).
Write a hypothesis (testable prediction) regarding your expected outcome to this test. Be specific.
If ______________________________________________________________________
Then ____________________________________________________________________
Identify the independent variable in this experiment ___________________________________
Identify the dependent variable in this experiment _____________________________________
13. Perform the test. Record the data in the table below.
Data Table 2
Mass of Cup (g)
Ball’s Release Point
(cm)
Distance Cup Moved
(cm)
14. Use the following grid to make a line graph of the results shown in DataTable 2. The independent
variable always goes on the X-axis and the dependent variable goes on the y-axis. Be sure to label
and number the axes and give your graph a title.
15. Does the data support your hypothesis? Refer to the graph in your explanation.
16. How could you make your experiment better or more accurate?
17. A student designs an experiment where they change the mass of the cup and the height of the ramp at
the same time. Why would this be a poor experiment?