Variables

Manipulated Responding
Laura Chambless
Variable Control What to Measure
St. Clair County RESA
Mass of car Science Consultant
Slope Distance of blockLength wooden blocked moved www.protopage.com/lchambless
Holding ruler
Type of surface
chambless.laura@sccresa.org
Wood block 810-455-4005
Ramp

Procedure

Planning Step General Plan Operational Plan (Steps to follow)

Manipulated Variable The height of the slope: 3 cm, 8 cm, 21 cm 1. Start with a smooth surface, like a table or floor.
What should be changed? 2. Make ramp height: Measure and mark the 26 cm
side of the block of wood, for ramp height, in
centimeters intervals.
3. Hammer in nails on 3 cm, 8 cm, and 21 cm
marked line.
4. Make ramp: Tape, on the back side, two rulers
side by side, and going down the ruler. Clip a cloth
pin at the 0 cm end.

Controlled Variables Mass of matchbox car 5. Make starting line for ramp: Place a piece of
What should be kept the Distance between end of ramp and block masking tape on the table or flat surface, for a
same? Where to hold the ruler for the ramp starting mark.
Type of surface 6. Make starting line for wooden block: Place
Mass of wooden block another piece of masking tape parallel to the first
How ramp is made piece of masking tape 10 cm apart.
Length of ramp 7. Set up ramp so the end of the ruler is at the
starting line tape.
8. Place ramp on the 3 cm nail. Slide completed
ramp so the end of the rulers are at the starting line.
9. Place 19 g wooden block on its starting line.
Making sure the block is place directly in front of
where the car will go down, so the car will hit the
middle of the block.
10. Place matchbox car on top of ramp so the back
end touches the clothespin.
11. Make sure one set of Matchbox car tires are
inside the groove of the rulers to insure the care
travels in a straight line.

Responding Variable The number of centimeters the wooden block 12. Let car go down the ramp and hit the wooden
How will differences be moves block.
observed or measured? 13. Measure and record from the 19 g wooden block
starting line to the part of the wooden block closest
to the starting line.
14. Repeat procedure for three trials.
15. Repeat same procedure as above for 8 cm and
21cm height.