Question 44
Think like a scientist: Calculating speed. In this investigation, you will make measurements to calculate the speed of a tennis ball. Work in groups of three or four. You will need: ramp (such as a plank of wood or thick card), tennis ball, metre rule, coloured tape, books, smooth level surface (such as a desk or the floor), stopwatch. Set up the equipment as shown in the diagram.
1. Use coloured tape to fix the bottom of the ramp to the desk or floor.
2. Fix some coloured tape 1 m from the end of the ramp.
3. Fix some coloured tape near the top of the ramp to mark where you will release the ball.
4. Measure the height from the desk or floor up to the position where you will release the ball.
5. Release the ball and measure the time the ball takes to move between the two pieces of coloured tape on the desk or floor.
6. Repeat this two more times and calculate the average time to travel between the two pieces of tape.
7. Do this for a range of different heights.
Plot a line graph of the results. Put height on the horizontal axis and speed on the vertical axis. Include the units on each axis.
1. Use coloured tape to fix the bottom of the ramp to the desk or floor.
2. Fix some coloured tape 1 m from the end of the ramp.
3. Fix some coloured tape near the top of the ramp to mark where you will release the ball.
4. Measure the height from the desk or floor up to the position where you will release the ball.
5. Release the ball and measure the time the ball takes to move between the two pieces of coloured tape on the desk or floor.
6. Repeat this two more times and calculate the average time to travel between the two pieces of tape.
7. Do this for a range of different heights.
Plot a line graph of the results. Put height on the horizontal axis and speed on the vertical axis. Include the units on each axis.
