Research question: How do different starting heights affect a ping pong ball's time taken to roll down a ramp?
This IA aims to compare how different starting heights affect a ping pong ball's time taken to roll down a ramp. The purpose is to derrive the average velocity of the ball from all the trials and come to a conclusion as to whether the velocity between starting heights remains the same. The independent variable of this investigation is the starting height of the ping pong ball and the dependent variable is the time taken to roll down the ramp.
One of the controlled variables in the experiment was the location of release of the ping pong ball relative to distance markings. This was to ensure that the distance travelled didn't vary beyond the set distance increments. Also, the angle between ramp and the table was kept the same in order to ensure that gravity has the same effect on the ping pong balls between trials.

Apparatus

Method

  1. All the apparatus was collected.
  2. The retort stands, boss clamps, light-gates and metal ramp were set up as shown in figure \ref{733451}
  3. A mark was drawn on the side of the ramp every \(\SI{10}{\centi\meter}\).
  4. The first light-gate was moved to the bottom of the ramp and the second to the top.
  5. The ball was rolled from the top to test that the light-gates were functional.
  6. The data-logging software was initiated.
  7. The first light-gate was moved to the \(\SI{10}{\centi\meter}\) mark.
  8. The ball was rolled from the top five times.
  9. The first light-gate was moved down \(\SI{10}{\centi\meter}\).
  10. Steps 8-9 were repeated eight more times until the first light-gate reached the \(\SI{90}{\centi\meter}\) mark.
  11. The data was recorded in a table