9 MYP Physics Summative Energy Investigation (Criteria B and C)

Maximum 6 Pages
Name: Rashida Hasanali

Date: 11/11/21

Research Question
To what extent does changing the height (1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m, 2.5 m, and 3 m) of dropping a rubber stopper
(meters) using a measuring tape (± 0.005 m) affect the time of the freefall (seconds) using a stopwatch (±
0.21 seconds)?

Background Information and Research

Freefall is a motion of an object whose only force affecting it is the gravitational pull the Earth has. Some
components of freefall are displacement (x), initial velocity (u) final velocity (v), time (t), and acceleration
2
(a) which is gravity (g) without air resistance and that is equal to 9. 81 𝑚/𝑠 . Some real-life examples of
freefall are spacecrafts circling an orbit, dropping a ball to the ground, and projectile objects whilst
dropping. There are main factors that can affect the time. They are the initial velocity, air resistance,
surface conditions, and height. The time it takes for the freefall to occur will vary according to these
factors. In my investigation, I will be looking at how the height of freefall (m) affects the time it takes for a
rubber stopper to hit the ground (seconds).

Hypothesis
If the height of freefall increases, then the time it takes for the freefall to occur will increase because of the
2𝑥 1 2
equation 𝑡 = 𝑔
which is derived from 𝑥 = 2
𝑔𝑡 . Mathematically speaking, when the positive
number (independent variable) increases, then the other number in relation to it (dependant variable)
increases as well. Therefore, when the displacement of the object (x) increases, so does the time.

This hypothesis is testable because this experiment can either disprove or prove the hypothesis with the
data collected. I can also use my scientific method which can be followed by anyone.

Predicted Graph Sketch

Variables (IV, DV, CVs)

IV: The independent variable is the height of the freefall (m) ± 0.005 m. The heights will have a range of
1,1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 m with increments of 0.5. There will be 5 trials for each increment. To do this, I will use
a measuring tape to measure the height of the surface near the experiment which will be used as a
reference for the drop without touching it because that can affect the dependent variable.
DV: The time it takes for the freefall to occur (seconds) ± 0.21 seconds. Once the dropper lets go of the
rubber stopper, the time will start. As soon as the timer can see and both hear the rubber stopper on the
ground, the time will stop. This will be timed using a stopwatch controlled by my partner and her point of
view from the ground from the time the experiment starts until it ends. This will allow both of us to
conclude on how the height of the rubber stopper affects the time it takes for the freefall of the object to
occur.
CV:
Variable Why does it need to be How will I control it?
controlled?

The same initial velocity of the This needs to be controlled I can control this by holding the
object. because if the initial velocity isn’t object as steady as possible by
0 throughout the experiment, using the reference point on the
then the motion of the object can wall as support to maintain a
affect the time of freefall. steady hand. I will, however,
move my hand away from the
wall when conducting the
experiment so the wall doesn’t
affect the drop.

The same location the This needs to be controlled I will control this by choosing a
experiment is taking place because I will be using a wall as specific and consistent location
a reference point for my drop to perform all of my trials.
and if I vary the location, the
heights won’t be consistent for
all of my trials.

The same air temperature This needs to be controlled I will control this by conducting
because if the temperature my experiment on one day only
doesn’t remain the same, then it and measuring the air
can affect the density of the air, temperature with a thermometer
which contributes to the change at the beginning and end of the
in time of freefall. experiment.

The same wind conditions This needs to be controlled I will control this by choosing a
because the air resistance can location where the wind is the
vary the movements of the same at all angles and the
object and change the time of experiment will be conducted on
freefall. one day.

The same object This needs to be controlled I will control this by using my
because the investigation is designated object for all of my
about how much time it takes for trials.
a rubber stopper to fall and if it
varies then there wouldn’t be
sufficient data to compare.

Materials + Apparatus
● 1 stopwatch
● 1 20 m measuring tape
 ● 1 rubber stopper (2.85 cm in height, 2.40 cm in the top diameter, and 2.00 cm in the base
diameter)
● 1 pencil
● 1 piece of paper

Methodology (Procedure of Data Collection)

1. The materials were set up like the diagram shows with all of the other equipment collected.
2. The heights of the different freefalls were measured accurately.
3. The rubber stopper was dropped from the 1-meter mark with the base facing the ground.
4. The time was started as soon as the stopper was dropped.
5. The time was stopped as soon as the timer could both hear and see the stopper on the floor.
6. The time was recorded using a pencil and paper.
7. Steps 3 to 6 were repeated while step 3 was adjusted for 1.5 meters.
8. Steps 3 to 6 were repeated while step 3 was adjusted for 2 meters.
9. Steps 3 to 6 were repeated while step 3 was adjusted for 2.5 meters.
10. Steps 3 to 6 were repeated while step 3 was adjusted for 3 meters.

Safety Considerations
Make sure the surface area where the experiment is taking place is in an open, clear area with a wall at
least 4 m tall and stairs high enough to reach that height. Make sure to tie back your hair so it doesn’t get
in the way of doing the experiment. Don’t hold the edges of the measuring tape to avoid cutting yourself
with it. Make sure no one except for the conductors of the experiment are within 1 square meter of the
experiment.

Raw + Processed Data Table

Data table showing how increasing the height of freefall (m) ± 0.005
m affects the time it takes for the freefall to occur (seconds) ± 0.21
seconds
Height (m) ± Time (sec) ± Average Time Theoretical time
0.005m 0.21 sec (sec) ± 0.21 (seconds)
1.00 0.54
1.00 0.55 0.494 0.452
 1.00 0.43
1.00 0.51
1.00 0.44
1.50 0.62
1.50 0.59
1.50 0.54 0.578 0.553
1.50 0.55
1.50 0.59
2.00 0.55
2.00 0.85
2.00 0.81 0.692 0.649
2.00 0.67
2.00 0.58
2.50 0.71
2.50 0.82
2.50 0.65 0.786 0.714
2.50 0.82
2.50 0.93
3.00 1.05
3.00 0.92
3.00 1.10 0.970 0.782
3.00 0.87
3.00 0.91

Sample Calculations
Uncertainty for average T: 0.21
Formula for avg. T: DP1 + DP2 + DP3 + DP4 + DP5 ÷ No. of DP
Avg. T: 1.05 + 0.92 + 1.10 + 0.87 + 0.91 ÷ 5.00 = 0.970 ± 0.21

Theoretical uncertainty for theoretical time: 0.21

2𝑥
Formula for theoretical T: 𝑡 = 𝑔
2.00 • 3.00
Theoretical T: 9.81
=𝑡
𝑡 = 0. 782± 0. 21

Graph
 Uncertainty Analysis
t ± 0.21 seconds: I recorded the time using a stopwatch, however, there will still be an uncertainty of
human reaction time. The human reaction time is around ± 0.20 seconds and the uncertainty of the
stopwatch is ± 0.01 seconds. So together my values have an uncertainty of ± 0.21 seconds and this can
affect my values greatly. ± 0.21 seconds is 42.5% of my 1 meter value, 36.3% of my 1.5 meter value,
30.4% of my 2 meter value, 26.7% of my 2.5 meter value, and 21.7% of my 3 meter value. This
uncertainty can be added or subtracted to my values and can greatly vary the results and graph.

h ± 0.005 meters: In analog devices, the uncertainty on it is half of the smallest division. Since we used a
measuring tape with the smallest division of 1 mm or 0.01 meters, our uncertainty became 500
micrometers of 0.005 meters. This is a small value compared to 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 or 3 meters with the
uncertainty being 0.50%, 0.33%, 0.25%, 0.2% and 0.16% of it in its respective order. This uncertainty can
be added or subtracted to my values and can make a minuscule difference to the results.

Relationship between IV and DV

There is a positive correlation between the height of the freefall and the time it takes for the freefall to
occur. As the height of freefall increases, so does the time it takes. For example, when the height was 1
m, then the average time it took was 0.494 seconds, and when the depth was 1.5 m, then the average
time it took was 0.578 seconds. This is a change of 0.084 seconds or a 14.5% increase. However, once
you start to increase the height of freefall, the change in time starts to get more sudden. We see this
when the height of freefall was 2.5 m and the average time it took was 0.786 seconds, and when the
depth was at 3 m, the average time it took was 0.970 seconds. This is a change of 0.184 seconds or an
18.7% increase. The final takeaway is that there is a positive correlation between the height of freefall and
the average time it takes for the fall to occur which starts slow and then gets sudden.

Validity of Hypothesis
My hypothesis for the investigation was “If the height of freefall increases, then the time it takes for the
2𝑥 1 2
freefall to occur will increase because of the equation 𝑡 = 𝑔
which is derived from 𝑥 = 2
𝑔𝑡 .
Mathematically speaking, when the positive number (independent variable) increases, then the other
number in relation to it (dependant variable) increases as well. Therefore, when the displacement of the
object (x) increases, so does the time (t).” The hypothesis is supported by the data. We see that when the
height of freefall was 1.5 meters, the time it took was 0.578 seconds. We also see that when the height of
freefall was 2 meters, the time it took was 0.692 seconds. The time of freefall is increasing and we see
that continue with the time of freefall taken for 2.5 meters and 3 meters at 0.768 and 0.970 seconds
respectively. This shows a somewhat steady and then a somewhat sudden increase when I hypothesized
in my predictive graph a directly proportional relationship with a steady increase throughout.
 Sources of Error
Two different locations: When doing the experiment, I recorded my results and conducted the experiment
in two different locations. The location that we wanted (the taller one) was already taken so we had to use
a location that was only 2 meters high, and then shift to our wanted location when it was free. Therefore,
my readings of the heights can vary, because of the start and end heights measured on the wall. The
angle of drop changed too, as we were on ground level for the shorter location, and on stairs above the
heights for the taller location. The air resistance can vary too. Both of my locations had different factors
that affected the air resistance like objects blocking the direction of the wind and the location being too
aerated. These factors can all cause a major change in my data.
The position of the rubber stopper: When doing the experiment, I didn’t control how the rubber stopper
was positioned. As the stopper has different measurements of 2.85, 2.40, and 2.00 cm, the different sides
of it can hit the ground at different times. I decided to stop the timer when I could both see and hear the
stopper on the ground, and this can affect the time taken.
Uncertainties: I have 2 uncertainties of ± 0.005 meters for the height of freefall, and ± 0.21 seconds for
the time taken for the freefall to occur. However, only the time can be a true source of error as it accounts
for 43 to 21% of my data.

Validity of Method
I think that my results are mostly reliable because most of my trials for each of the heights are somewhat
similar to each other, and my average time of freefall for each of the heights all fit into the error bars,
which account for uncertainties and any mistakes in the execution of the experiment. For example, the
results for my 1.5-meter value were 0.62, 0.59, 0.54, 0.55, and 0.59. The error bars for that meter mark
encapsulated all the values from approximately 0.35 until 0.80 seconds, and this value was almost the
same as the theoretical time value at 0.578 compared to 0.553 seconds. I think that my method was a
good way to test this investigation because I had a range of values that are equal in increments and cover
all of the bases, and I have 5 trials that provide enough data to have a proper understanding of the
results.

Improvements
The position of the conductors: When conducting the majority of the experiment, my partner and I were
set up in different angles; one at bird’s eye view and one at ground level. This can be crucial to observing
the drop of the object and affects the time taken for the freefall. To improve this, I can have a third eye
from a completely different angle to observe the experiment with us.
The location of the experiment: My partner and I were set up in two different locations. To improve this,
we can conduct the experiment in increments so we can use the same location.
A wider range: I had a range of 5 data points with increments of 0.5 m. To improve this, I can have 7 data
points with increments of 0.75 starting from 0.5 m and going up to 5 m.

Extensions
If the experiment was conducted again, I would change the surface are of the rubber stopper and see
how that affects the time of freefall. My new research question would be “ To what extent does increasing
3
the surface area of rubber stoppers (cm ) affect the time it takes for freefall to happen( seconds)?” I
would have decent increments of different sized stoppers and find the surface area of them using πr(s+r)
and measure the time using a stopwatch. I would carry this experiment out by choosing a height and
dropping from there, and I would expect the graph to look somewhat similar to the one of this experiment.
By doing this, I can see if the mass of an object affects its’ fall time as well as the effect of air resistance.
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