Lab Title: Mass of ball vs. Ability to float
Be Creative
Investigative Question:
Clear and concise question or problem you are seeking to answer using the correct format.
Correct Formats:
What is the effect of __(Manipulated Variable)__ on __(Responding Variable)__?
How does __(Manipulated Variable)__ effect __(Responding Variable)__?)
Question: How does the mass of the ball affect if it floats when dropped into a bin of room temperature water?
Hypothesis and Reasoning:
This is your predicted answer to the question being investigated, what you think will happen
It must be related to the question and include both the manipulated variable and the responding variable.
The hypothesis must give a related reason for the prediction (because…). Often the reason could be prior knowledge or research done.
Use the correct format: If _(Manipulated Variable)__ then _(Responding Variable)__ because __________ OR I predict because _______________.
Hypothesis and Reasoning: I predict that the more the mass the less chance that the ball has to float because the more the mass the heavier the ball so it is more likely to sink
Materials:
List ALL the necessary materials to be used in the investigation (pencil and paper are not necessary).
Include types, amounts and/or measurements for each item.
Materials:
-1 crocket ball
-1 ping pong ball
-1 clear container (for water)
-2 liters of room temperature water
-Paper towel (if needed for cleanup)
Procedure: The following instructions describe all aspects that must be included in your written procedure.
Procedural Steps: The numbered steps of the investigation are logical with enough detail that someone else could replicate your experiment. Specific quantities, lengths of time, and number of repetitions, etc. are included in your plan. (The first step DOES NOT need to be “gather materials.”)
Include Your Variables in the Procedure:
Manipulated Variable: Only one manipulated variable is identified or implied in the procedure. This is what you intentionally change in an investigation.
Responding Variable: The responding variable is identified or implied in the procedure; specifically explain what it is that you are measuring. This is what you measure in an investigation. It “responds” to your manipulated variable.
Controlled Variable(s): At least one controlled variable is identified or implied in the procedure. These are the things in an investigation that are kept the same or constant throughout the experiment.
Recorded Measurements: The procedure states or implies that measurements are recorded periodically. Do NOT simply write “record data,” explain what needs to be recorded (for example: record time, record distance, etc).
Repeated Trials: More than one trial for all conditions is planned or implied to measure the responding variable. You can include repeated trials as your last step Example:“Repeat steps 1- 5, two more times for repeated trials.” Or include “repeat twice” before the step which changes the value of your manipulated variable.
Procedure:
1. Gather all materials
-1 crocket ball
-1 ping pong ball
-1 clear container (for water)
-2 liters of room temperature water
-Paper towel (if needed for cleanup)
2. Pour 2 liters of room temperature water into a clear container
3. Place the ball GENTLY into the container of water
4. Record if the ball floats or sinks
5. After your 3 trials record the ratio of floats to sinks
6. Repeat steps 1-5 for the two remaining balls
Data Tables:
Set up your data table using the following template. Replace the red writing with your own variables and the appropriate units.
Data Table:
Title: Effect of ball mass on if it floats or sinks.
Ball type
Floats or sinks
Ratio of floats to sinks
