Crater Design Experiment
Crater Design Experiment
Aim: To see how the height in which the ball is dropped from affects the depth of the crater.
Hypothesis: I predict that as the height in which the ball is dropped from increases, so does the depth of the crater (the data will be directly proportional). The scientific knowledge which supports this is that the golf ball has a gravitational potential energy which increases as the ball is dropped from higher heights. When the height increases the ball gains more gravitational potential energy and as a result more kinetic energy. When it hits the sands surface it causes a great impact on the sand, therefore causing a crater.
Sketch graph:
Dependant variable: Height in which the ball is dropped at (10cm,20cm,30cm,40cm,50cm)
Independent variable: The depth of the crater (cm)
Controlled variables:
Ball bring dropped: golf ball
The level of sand: should reach the top of the plastic container (and remain flat)
Same types of toothpicks: wooden
Same type of sand used for every setting: white/brown
Apparatus:
15 toothpicks
Sand
1 plastic container (rectangular)
100cm ruler
30cm ruler
1 golf ball
1 clamp stand
Method:
1. Gather all apparatus from apparatus list. Measure the distance between the top of the sand and the bottom of the tray using the 30cm ruler.
2. Place the plastic container over the plastic tray. Pour the sand into the plastic container until it reaches the top of it. Using the 30cm ruler stick, smooth out the sand so that it is completely flat (reaches the top), especially in the middle (the sides do not have to be completely smooth).
3. When flattening the surface, brush the extra sand onto the tray below the container.
4. Grab the clamp stand and place the 100cm ruler in between the two handles (now tighten so that it keeps the ruler straight. Your set up should look like this:
5. Take the golf ball and measure 10cm above the top of the plastic container full of sand (using the ruler held by the clamp stand). When ready, drop
Aim: To see how the height in which the ball is dropped from affects the depth of the crater.
Hypothesis: I predict that as the height in which the ball is dropped from increases, so does the depth of the crater (the data will be directly proportional). The scientific knowledge which supports this is that the golf ball has a gravitational potential energy which increases as the ball is dropped from higher heights. When the height increases the ball gains more gravitational potential energy and as a result more kinetic energy. When it hits the sands surface it causes a great impact on the sand, therefore causing a crater.
Sketch graph:
Dependant variable: Height in which the ball is dropped at (10cm,20cm,30cm,40cm,50cm)
Independent variable: The depth of the crater (cm)
Controlled variables:
Ball bring dropped: golf ball
The level of sand: should reach the top of the plastic container (and remain flat)
Same types of toothpicks: wooden
Same type of sand used for every setting: white/brown
Apparatus:
15 toothpicks
Sand
1 plastic container (rectangular)
100cm ruler
30cm ruler
1 golf ball
1 clamp stand
Method:
1. Gather all apparatus from apparatus list. Measure the distance between the top of the sand and the bottom of the tray using the 30cm ruler.
2. Place the plastic container over the plastic tray. Pour the sand into the plastic container until it reaches the top of it. Using the 30cm ruler stick, smooth out the sand so that it is completely flat (reaches the top), especially in the middle (the sides do not have to be completely smooth).
3. When flattening the surface, brush the extra sand onto the tray below the container.
4. Grab the clamp stand and place the 100cm ruler in between the two handles (now tighten so that it keeps the ruler straight. Your set up should look like this:
5. Take the golf ball and measure 10cm above the top of the plastic container full of sand (using the ruler held by the clamp stand). When ready, drop