Procedures
How was the experiment carried out to answer the problem?
Day 1 - Determining Flight Factors
On the first day we discussed as a class what variables could affect the flight path of the balloon. This list included anything from the placement of the balloon in the slingshot to an innocent bird flying by while the balloon is in the air. Each factor was then sorted into a category of either a control variable or an act of god. From the list of control factors, we selected the mass of the water balloon to be the independent variable. The flight factor list was a crucial part of the procedure because it made us aware of the aspects in the experiment that we would have to control to get accurate data.
Day 2 - Setup Day
The second day of the lab was devoted to setting up for the launching day in which data would be collected. Our first task was to estimate the smallest and largest water balloon mass that would still fly. Using a spring scale and a water pumper, 12 balloons were filled to a precise mass. Each balloon was labeled with a number 1-12 based on mass. (The balloon with the smallest mass was labeled with a number 1, and the balloon with the largest mass was labeled with a number 12.) These balloons were created for the collection of data to increase our chances of later hitting “the …show more content…
Three person slingshots were used, so our group assigned 2 holders and a launcher. It was critical that measurements of the height and distance the slingshot was being held at were taken between each launch, otherwise data would be inaccurate. After all balloons were launched and the distance was marked with flags corresponding to the balloon number, we then used a tape measure to calculate how far each balloon flew from the original launching spot. Due to time restrictions, our group was unable to complete measuring the distance each balloon flew, which caused inaccurate
How was the experiment carried out to answer the problem?
Day 1 - Determining Flight Factors
On the first day we discussed as a class what variables could affect the flight path of the balloon. This list included anything from the placement of the balloon in the slingshot to an innocent bird flying by while the balloon is in the air. Each factor was then sorted into a category of either a control variable or an act of god. From the list of control factors, we selected the mass of the water balloon to be the independent variable. The flight factor list was a crucial part of the procedure because it made us aware of the aspects in the experiment that we would have to control to get accurate data.
Day 2 - Setup Day
The second day of the lab was devoted to setting up for the launching day in which data would be collected. Our first task was to estimate the smallest and largest water balloon mass that would still fly. Using a spring scale and a water pumper, 12 balloons were filled to a precise mass. Each balloon was labeled with a number 1-12 based on mass. (The balloon with the smallest mass was labeled with a number 1, and the balloon with the largest mass was labeled with a number 12.) These balloons were created for the collection of data to increase our chances of later hitting “the …show more content…
Three person slingshots were used, so our group assigned 2 holders and a launcher. It was critical that measurements of the height and distance the slingshot was being held at were taken between each launch, otherwise data would be inaccurate. After all balloons were launched and the distance was marked with flags corresponding to the balloon number, we then used a tape measure to calculate how far each balloon flew from the original launching spot. Due to time restrictions, our group was unable to complete measuring the distance each balloon flew, which caused inaccurate