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Step 1: Pick a Topic

Force and Motion: Unbalanced Forces

Step 2: Research
MDE 5th Grade Companion Document:
http://www.mi.gov/documents/mde/5-
Science_GLCE_Companion_Document_v.1.09_2_264472_7.pdf

Laura’s Protopage Resource for 5th Grade Science -Measuring Changes in Motion
Box: http://www.protopage.com/lchambless#Professional/5th_Grade_Science

Newton’s 1st Law


http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/u2l1a.cfm
http://zonalandeducation.com/mstm/physics/mechanics/forces/newton/newtonLaw1.
html
http://www.wisc-online.com/Objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=tp1202
http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc91/4a.asp

Physics 4 Kids:
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_intro.html

Formula of Force
F=ma

Mass
Amount of matter in an object

Acceleration

Step 3: Question
Does the steepness of a slope affect the distance that a matchbox car pushes a
wooden block?

Mass
Slope of car
Control
Variab
le
Distance of
block
Holding ruler
Type of
surface
Wood block
Ramp
Step 4: Variables
Manipulated Variable: placement of ramp
Responding Variable: number of centimeters the wooden block moves
Controlled Variables:
• Mass of matchbox car
• Distance between end of ramp and block
• Where to hold the ruler for the ramp
• Type of surface
• Mass of wooden block
• How ramp is made
• Length of ramp

Step 5: Hypothesis WITH Research


I think the steepest slope will make the matchbox car push the wooden block the
farthest. I think this because I’ve found, through research, that Newton’s first law of
physics states: an object in motion (car) will remain that way unless acted on by
another force (wooden block). Then, when applying the formula of force: when all
forces are going in the same direction, increase acceleration (slope) multiplied by
mass (car) will equal a larger force.

Step 6: Materials List


Matchbox Car (34 g)
Wooden Block (19 g)
Block of Wood for Ramp Height (26cm x 8.5 cm x 3.5 cm)
Cloth Pin
Masking Tape
3 Rulers (30 cm)
Electronic Balance or Balance Scale
3 nails
Hammer
Table or Flat Surface

Step 7: What’s the Plan?


1. Research
2. Details of testing- see variables
3. Measurable results – centimeters
4. Log
5. Repeat test – 3 trials

Step 8: Procedure

Planning Step General Plan Operational Plan (Steps to


follow)
Manipulated The height of the slope: 3 cm, 8 1. Start with a smooth
Variable cm, 21 cm surface, like a table or floor.
What should be 2. Make ramp height: Measure
changed? and mark the 26 cm side of
the block of wood, for ramp
height, in centimeters
intervals.
3. Hammer in nails on 3 cm, 8
cm, and 21 cm marked line.
4. Make ramp: Tape, on the
back side, two rulers side by
side, and going down the
ruler. Clip a cloth pin at the 0
cm end.

Controlled Mass of matchbox car 5. Make starting line for ramp:


Variables Distance between end of ramp Place a piece of masking tape
What should be and block on the table or flat surface, for
kept the same? Where to hold the ruler for the a starting mark.
ramp 6. Make starting line for
Type of surface wooden block: Place another
Mass of wooden block piece of masking tape parallel
How ramp is made to the first piece of masking
Length of ramp tape 10 cm apart.
7. Set up ramp so the end of
the ruler is at the starting line
tape.
8. Place ramp on the 3 cm
nail. Slide completed ramp so
the end of the rulers are at
the starting line.
9. Place 19 g wooden block on
its starting line. Making sure
the block is place directly in
front of where the car will go
down, so the car will hit the
middle of the block.
10. Place matchbox car on top
of ramp so the back end
touches the clothespin.
11. Make sure one set of
Matchbox car tires are inside
the groove of the rulers to
insure the care travels in a
straight line.

Responding The number of centimeters the 12. Let car go down the ramp
Variable wooden block moves and hit the wooden block.
How will 13. Measure and record from
differences be the 19 g wooden block
observed or starting line to the part of the
measured? wooden block closest to the
starting line.
14. Repeat procedure for
three trials.
15. Repeat same procedure
as above for 8 cm and 21cm
height.

Step 9: Data

Height of Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average


Ramp
Low (3 cm) 9 cm 11.5 cm 9 cm 9.83 cm
Medium (8 cm) 22.6 cm 18 cm 26.5cm 22.37 cm
High (21 cm) 8.4 cm 7.2 9.4 cm 8.33 cm

Step 10: Discussion of Results/Charts and Graphs/Pictures


Setting the ramp at 8 cm high created the most force, out of the three
measurements picked to test, and moved the wooden block on average 22.37 cm.
The lowest height ramp, 3 cm, moved the wooden block an average of 9.83 cm.
The highest height, 21 cm, created the least amount of force and moved the
wooden block on average of 8.33 cm.

Step 11: Conclusion


My hypothesis was that the steepest slope would have the most force and move the
wooden block the farthest. The results indicate that my hypothesis should not be
accepted. The height of the ramp should be at 8 cm, out of the three heights I
picked, to create the most force to move the wooden block the farthest.

This experiment proved that setting the ramp at 8 cm high created the most force,
out of the three measurements picked to test, and moved the wooden block the
farthest with an average 22.37 cm. The lowest height ramp, 3 cm, moved the
wooden block an average of 9.83 cm. The highest height, 21 cm, created the least
amount of force and moved the wooden block on average of 8.33 cm.

Even though I was wrong in my hypothesis this experiment showed me that there is
a point where the height of the ramp is too high which will create a low amount of
force. Through more research I learned that when the height of the ramp is too
high, the car will hit the table first. This force acts as an opposing force and
decreases the amount of force that hits the blocks.

Force and motion is all around us. You can find many places where Newton’s Laws
of physics are in our lives. Engineers use this type of information when building
roller coasters, roads, or any ramps. We also use these laws of force and motion
when playing all kinds of sports. Another place where we use these laws is when
we are riding bikes, skateboards, four wheelers, motorcycles, or snowmobiles.

Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if changing the mass of cars and
leaving the ramp height the same would have similar results. I would also like to try
changing the surface to see how much friction plays into the results.

Step 12: Abstract

While playing with ramps and toy cars one day, I wondered at what height a slope
would create the most force. My hypothesis was that the steepest slope would have
the most force and move a wooden block the farthest. The results indicate that my
hypothesis should not be accepted. The steepest slope actually created the least
amount of force. I learned that there is a point where the slope gets too steep and
the car is stopped by the force of the table and not the force of the wooden block. In
my experiment, setting a ramp at 8 cm high created the most force, out of the three
measurements picked to test, and moved the wooden block on average 22.37 cm.
The lowest height ramp, 3 cm, moved the wooden block an average of 9.83 cm.
The highest height, 21 cm, created the least amount of force and moved the
wooden block on average of 8.33 cm. I used a 34 gram Matchbox car to run my
test. Next time I run an experiment, I would like to use different mass cars and the
same slope height. These would let me see if the weight of the car makes a
difference on the force.

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