Scientific Question
How does the size of the parachute (20, 24, 28, 32 & 36cm2) affect the time it takes to fall from the 5th floor to 3rd floor at the CDNIS school?
Background (before an experiment)
Before this experiment, I came to believe that the bigger the area of the parachute the slower it takes to fall to the ground. I will be experimenting with 5 different sizes of parachutes including 20, 24, 28, 32 & 36cm2. I will be using light cloth for my experiment.
Hypothesis
If the area of the parachute (20, 24, 28, 32 & 36cm2) is increased, then it will take a longer time for it to fall because the bigger the area of the parachute, the more resistance the air pushes up against it.
Variables
Variables
Description
How am I going to control it
Independent Variable
Surface area of the parachute (20, 24, 28, 32 & 36cm2)
Throughout the experiment, the independent variable which is the surface area of the parachute will be cut to size in squares measuring (20, 24, 28, 32 & 36cm2)
Dependent Variable
Fall time (in seconds)
Throughout the experiment, the dependent variable will be the time it takes for the parachute to fall which is measured in seconds. To ensure the measurement of time is accurate a stop watch will be used.
Controlled Variables
Height that parachute is dropped
The height …show more content…
All of these factors could have affected the results of our experiment. Therefore, I will be more aware of these factors in our next experiment. I could also video tape the trials to get a more accurate reading of the fall times. This could make the overall experiment data more accurate. Now that I know how the bigger the surface area of the parachute affects the fall time, I would like to know how different materials instead of light fabric could affect the fall time (e.g. use plastic trash bags as the material for the
How does the size of the parachute (20, 24, 28, 32 & 36cm2) affect the time it takes to fall from the 5th floor to 3rd floor at the CDNIS school?
Background (before an experiment)
Before this experiment, I came to believe that the bigger the area of the parachute the slower it takes to fall to the ground. I will be experimenting with 5 different sizes of parachutes including 20, 24, 28, 32 & 36cm2. I will be using light cloth for my experiment.
Hypothesis
If the area of the parachute (20, 24, 28, 32 & 36cm2) is increased, then it will take a longer time for it to fall because the bigger the area of the parachute, the more resistance the air pushes up against it.
Variables
Variables
Description
How am I going to control it
Independent Variable
Surface area of the parachute (20, 24, 28, 32 & 36cm2)
Throughout the experiment, the independent variable which is the surface area of the parachute will be cut to size in squares measuring (20, 24, 28, 32 & 36cm2)
Dependent Variable
Fall time (in seconds)
Throughout the experiment, the dependent variable will be the time it takes for the parachute to fall which is measured in seconds. To ensure the measurement of time is accurate a stop watch will be used.
Controlled Variables
Height that parachute is dropped
The height …show more content…
All of these factors could have affected the results of our experiment. Therefore, I will be more aware of these factors in our next experiment. I could also video tape the trials to get a more accurate reading of the fall times. This could make the overall experiment data more accurate. Now that I know how the bigger the surface area of the parachute affects the fall time, I would like to know how different materials instead of light fabric could affect the fall time (e.g. use plastic trash bags as the material for the