Olivia Rossbach

October 15, 2014

SCI 141-101 Dr. Masse
A vs. G Lab Report Template
Group 6

Problem: What is the most accurate proportionality relationship between distance in time when
looking at Aristotle and Galileos models?
Variables:
1. Time
2. Distance
3. Cars constant mass (200 g)
4. Friction
5. Track incline
6. Reaction time
7. Direction
8. Car hitting ramp walls

Procedure for controlling the variables:
I can control bad reaction time and also the time variable by practicing or repeating releasing
the car 3 times and averages the times together to get a final number. Also I can make sure the person
holding the stop watch is constant.
I can control the incline of the metal track the car will roll down by measuring it and keeping
that constant length and height.
I can control the mass by reporting the cars mass, whether empty or by adding mass to the car,
and keeping it constant throughout the experiment.
I can control the car hitting the ramp walls and the direction by re-releasing the car if it hits the
sides.
MV: Distance to the millimeter measured as x.xxx m
Operational definition of MV: Use various points on an inclined ramp. Take many readings measured to
the millimeter every new distance using a meter stick.
RV: Time to the second measured as x.xx s
Operational definition of RV: I will count the time it takes the car to go various distances on an inclined
ramp using a stopwatch. From this information I will then determine the average time the car traveled
for each distance reported in significant digits to the hundredths place.
Hypothesis: If the distance the car travels down the ramp increases then the time it takes to travel that
distance will increase. Distance the car travels and the time it takes to travel is a constant direct
proportionality.
Rationale: I believe repeating each different distance three times will overrule bad reaction times and
give a more accurate reading showing that the time will increase as the car distance increase directly,
taking longer to do so.

Materials, Use & Setup:
1. Meter stick (measure ramp length and height and distance)
2. Metal car (constant mass)
3. Foam cushion
4. Blocks of wood (for incline)
5. Stop watch (timing distances)
6. Different distances
7. Metal track
8. Starting Ruler

Procedure for the experiment:
1. Set up metal ramp on blocks of wood on an incline with a meter stick in ramp lane to measure
changing distances
2. Constant mass in car released down the ramp stopping at first distance
3. Go first distance 2 more times and average the time
4. Repeat this release and averaging time for 10 additional different distances
5. Conclude by reporting relationship between distance and time based on Aristotle and Galileos
models





L = 121.7 cm = 1.217 m
H= 10.0 cm = .1 m
Data:
Summary of 11 Ramp Distances repeated 3 times and the recorded times for each

Distance (meter) Average Time (seconds)
1.000m 1.45s
0.900m 1.44s
0.800m 1.32s
0.700m 1.25s
0.600m 1.23s
0.500m 0.987s
0.400m 0.883s
0.300m 0.630s
0.200m 0.430s
0.100m 0.280s
0.000m 0.000s

Example Calculations:
Trail 1: 1.45 + 1.44 + 1.45 = 4.34/3 = 1.45
Trail 2: 1.44 + 1.44 + 1.44 = 4.32/3 = 1.44
Example Test Table (MV, RV, etc. as needed):

MV (y value) RV (x value)
distance Time1 Time2 Time3 Average time
(meter) (seconds)
1.000 1.45 1.44 1.46 1.45
0.900 1.44 1.44 1.44 1.44
0.800 1.32 1.32 1.32 1.32
0.700 1.28 1.31 1.16 1.25
0.600 1.16 1.16 1.05 1.12
0.500 1.02 0.90 1.04 0.987
0.400 0.84 0.84 0.97 0.883
0.300 0.60 0.60 0.69 0.63
0.200 0.43 0.42 0.44 0.43
0.100 0.27 0.27 0.30 0.28
0.000 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00


Conclusion/Interpretation/Possible Errors
The graphs indicated that as decreases it takes double the time to travel that distance. Thus my
hypothesis was disproved.
Based upon my straight line tests of the proportionality relationships, the best straight line is D
vs. T^2, so the best proportionality relationships between the different length distances on the incline
ramp and the time it took to travel those distances is found to be:
(Distance the car traveled) (Time)^2
The constant of proportionality was m = 0.410
One possible error may be poor reaction time or inaccurate graphical date input.