Directions for editing and submitting this document are at the end of this document.

If you do
not have the materials for this experiment, please watch the walkthrough at this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yZM68hhhg0ixQDOzCiI3eOBBcNVLeqqm/view?usp=sharing

Project 3: Bouncing Energy

Name: Juan Madrid

Purpose/Question – 5 pts
What question is this scientific investigation seeking to answer?
Does the mass of a bouncy ball affect how much energy it can transfer to its surroundings.

Hypothesis – 5 pts
Give a possible, testable explanation to answer the question. Use an “If______, then_____”
structure for the sentence.

Variables – 5 pts Each

State all variables and constants.
Independent Variable:
The ball

Dependent Variable:
measurer

Controlled Variable and/or Constants (list 2 or more):

Height you drop the ball
Materials – 5 pts
List the materials you used:

Balls
Timer
Tape measurer

Methods/Procedure – 5 pts
A numbered, step by step list of short instructions of how to perform the experiment, written in
the passive voice, such that another student could follow and replicate the experiment.

1.Use the scale to measure the mass of all the balls used in this experiment. Record these masses in
the data table on the lab report.
2.Select a ball and drop it carefully from the 100cm mark.
3.Once the ball bounces once, record the approximate height it reaches in Data table 1
4.Repeat steps 2 and 3 for 3 trials for the first ball
5.Repeat steps 2-4 until you have collected all of the data for the 5 balls
  
Data, Graphs, and Figures (20 pts): Here you list the results of your experiment. Include any
relevant charts, data tables, and graphs.
Data Table 1: Bounce Height
Bounce Height (cm)
Average Average Height
Mass of Ball (kg) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Height (cm) (meters)
1 54 57 56 55.6 0.556
2 73 75 75 74.3 0.743
3 78 76 78 77.3 0.773
4 83 85 84 84 0.84
5 90 92 92 91.3 0.913
Average Height (meters) = Average Height (cm) ÷ 100
CALCULATING GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY
You will need to perform calculations to determine how much energy is transferred by each ball.
Since the measurements taken above can be used to determine the gravitational potential
energy of each ball, you can use the following formula to calculate how much energy each ball
transfers in this experiment:
Gravitational Potential Energy (J) = mass (kg ) x acceleration due to gravity x height (meters)
Note:
● mass (kg): take from “Mass of Ball (kg)” for each ball in Table 1.
● acceleration due to gravity: 9.8 m/s2 near Earth.
● height (meters): take from “Average Height (meters)” for each ball in Table 1.
You will need to find the gravitational potential energy (PE) for each ball twice to determine
how much energy got transferred by the ball when it bounced off the floor. The change in
potential energy is the difference between the drop height PE and the bounce height PE. (Make
sure to use meters, not centimeters for the heights and to use averages of data where
appropriate.)

(1) Gravitational PE (J) at Drop Height

= mass of ball (kg ) x acceleration/gravity (9.8 m/s2) x height (1 m)

(2) Gravitational PE (J) at Bounce Height

= mass of ball (kg ) x acceleration/gravity (9.8 m/s2) x average bounce height (m)

(3) Change in PE of Ball (J)

= Gravitational PE (J) at Drop Height — Gravitational PE (J) at Bounce Height

Data Table 2: Calculations

Gravitational Potential Energy of Ball

Mass of Ball (kg) At Drop At Bounce Change in Potential

Height (J) Height (J) Energy of Ball (J)
1 100 55.6 44.4

2 100 74.3 25.7

3 100 77.3 22.7

4 100 84 16
 5 100 91 9

GRAPHING
Create a scatter plot graph of your data from Data Table 2. (x-axis = “Mass of Ball”; y-axis =
“Change in Potential Energy of Ball”.)
You may do this with paper and pencil or with a digital tool. If you choose to use paper pencil
you will need to take a picture of your graph to add to this lab report.
The following spreadsheet can be used to create a digital graph:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12Hh4210wTVtrVuTbhf1Fiy3SRV5i1CsHyMR9rfjzxJs/copy
Then you will need to upload the screenshot of your graph with the lab report.
A few things to remember:
● The independent variable will be graphed on the x-axis.
● The dependent variable will be graphed on the y-axis.
● Label the x and y axis appropriately (including units).
● Title the graph (independent variable vs. dependent variable).
● Use average values where appropriate.
● Contact your instructor if you need help in creating and uploading a graph.
Once completed please insert your graph below or submit with your lab report.

Results Analysis (20 pts)

1. According to your data, what trend exists between the independent variable and the
dependent variable? Make sure to use terms like “positive”, “negative”, or “neutral” to
describe the trend. Add your reasoning.
The relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable is pretty neutral. This
relationship is neutral because they both involve the bouncy ball. For example, the independent
variable is the different mass of the ball and the dependent variable is the bounce height of the ball.

2. Describe what further investigations could be done to continue the experiment in some
way. Here are some suggestions:
● What could be done differently to test the variables further?
● You can also describe how this experiment can be improved.
● Are there better materials?
● Is there a better procedure that can be followed?
Honestly, I personally like the way to test the variables further because it makes it easier to figure
them out with less confusion.
There could always be better materials. For example, maybe a few different balls, or maybe a higher
drop off.
I haven't found one but there possibly could be.

Conclusion – 25 pts
Your conclusion should include the following:
● State if the hypothesis is supported or not.
● Use data as evidence.
● Make inferences to explain your results (What do you think is causing the results you’re
seeing? What do you think the scientific concept behind this experiment is?)
● Identify possible sources of errors from the environment, materials, or method.
● What was learned from the experiment.
Yes, the hypothesis was supported. The hypothesis was supported when I had to do the
datatable because it gave me the results of which ball would bounce higher. Some possible
sources of errors could be the drop height. This could be an error because the height could
be a little bigger for some different results. One thing that I learned from this experiment is
that the heavier the ball, the higher the bounce will be when it hits the ground.

If you downloaded this as a Word document automatically, then you should be able to
edit this document, save the file, and upload to your project submission as needed.

If you are using this online with Google Docs, then you will need to submit this Lab
Report in Pdf format.
“File” > “Download” > “PDF document”
You will then need to upload the PDF file to the project submission as needed.