Spool Racer

Lab Report

NAME______DATE ______HR. _____

Unit2: Energy Transformation

Transformers: Energy in Disguise

Lab: Potential and Kinetic Energy: Spool Racer

1.  PROBLEM: Does ______

affect ______?

2.  HYPOTHESIS: IF ______,

THEN ______

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3.  Materials:

Wooden spool Flat toothpick Rubber Band Meter Stick

Tape Large Metal Washer Small Metal Washer

4.  INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: ______

5.  DEPENDENT VARIALBE: ______

6.  In order for a “fair test” to occur some items should remain CONSTANT. (Identify three (3) items that should remain constant in this investigation).

a.

b.

c.

7.  PROCEDURE

a.  First attach a rubber band to a toothpick. Place the toothpick on top of the rubber band. Lift one end of the rubber band over the toothpick, and thread it through the loop at the other end. Pull the rubber band so that it’s tight around the toothpick.

b.  Push the toothpick and rubber band through the center of the spool. Position the toothpick so it lies across one end of the spool. Break off the ends of the toothpick so that it doesn’t stick out past the edge of the spool. Put tape over the toothpick to hold it in place.

c.  Slip the other end of the rubber band first through the large washer and then through the small washer. Slide a pencil through the end of the rubber band.

d.  Turn the pencil to wind the rubber band.

e.  Set the spool racer on the starting line of the track, and let it go.

f.  When the spool racer has come to a stop, use the meter stick and carefully measure the distance the spool traveled. Use the front of the spool racer to obtain the distance. On the data table record distance to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.

g.  Repeat steps d-f four (4) more times.

8.  When you have constructed that device, make a diagram in the box below. Be sure to label your parts and explain how the device works.

9.  OBSERVATIONS:

Spool Racer speed
Trial 1 / Trial 2 / Trail 3 / Trial 4 / Trial 5 / Average
Distance Traveled (cm)
Time Traveled (seconds)

9. Use the data from the table in number 8 to prepare a line graph that shows the distance traveled for the spool racer for each trial. Be sure your graph has:

·  an appropriate title

·  a label for each axis with appropriate units

·  an appropriate number scale and category labels

·  correctly plotted data

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·  ANALYSIS: (Use numbers)

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§  CONCLUSION:

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§  Reflection/Evaluation:

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