P2.10.

2 Human power
You may use the following equations:

work done = force × distance moved in the direction of the force = change in energy
work done
power =
time taken

1 Determine your mass and your weight.

mass = ………………………………………… weight = …………………………………………

2 Measure the height of 5 stairs and find their average:

heights (m): ………………………………………… average height of stairs = …………………………………………

3 Measure the number of stairs and calculate the height at the top of

the 1st flight:

number of flight = ………………………………………… height = …………………………………………

the 2nd flight:

number of flight = ………………………………………… height = …………………………………………

the 3rd flight:

number of flight = ………………………………………… height = …………………………………………

height at top
of 3rd flight

height at top
height of one stair
height at top of 2nd flight
of 1st flight

You will find the time you need to move to the top of the 3rd flight of stairs.

4 Start the timer when you are at zero height.

Note the time it takes you to get to the top of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd flight of stairs.
Save your strength and stamina! You will do this three times!
Try to have the same speed every time.

Record your results in the table below.

Time (s)
Height (m) 1st attempt 2nd attempt 3rd attempt Average Work (J)
to top of
1st flight
to top of
2nd flight
to top of
3rd flight

1
Average power is found when we divide work by the total time.

work done
average power =
total time taken to do the work

5 Complete the table below by finding your average power at the time you got

to the top of 1st flight to the top of 2nd flight to the top of 3rd flight
average power
(W)

6 Is your power constant (steady)? If not, give a reason.

7 If you were to climb to the 4th floor using the stairs which of the three numbers would be closer to the
power you would develop? Give a reason.

8 How do you think your results would differ if you rested a lot after each attempt?

9 How would your calculated power be affected if the horizontal parts between flights were larger?

2
IAA Skills
Planning

1. Write an account of the experiment you did, using the following sections to structure your account.

a. List the apparatus you used.

b. Method: describe what you did in your experiment.

2. Name the independent variable (the variable which was being changed during the experiment).

3. Name the dependent variable (the quantity you measured during the experiment).

4. List any controlled variables (variables you had to keep the same each time).

Controlled Variable Why was this variable controlled? How did you control this variable?

5. Did you have to take any safety precautions in your experiment?

Identify these and explain why they were important.

Precaution Reason

3
Interpreting Data

1. Using the graph paper, draw a graph of the data you recorded.
Put the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis, unless your
teacher or the investigation instructions tell you otherwise.

Ensure your graph includes:

• Appropriate scales for each axis
• Axis labels
• Axis units
• A title
• Accurately plotted results
• A curve / straight line of best fit for your data, if appropriate for the type of graph

2. Describe the pattern you can see on your graph.

3. Suggest a scientific explanation for this pattern in your results.

4
Analysis

1. How did you ensure your results were valid? /Refers to the method used being correct and appropriate/

2. How did you ensure your results were reliable? /Refers to repeatability and consistency of results/

3. How did you calculate your averages (mean)? (if applicable to this experiment)

4. How did you spot any anomalies in your results?

5. How could you improve the reliability of the data you collected?

6. Suggest some causes of inaccuracies in the way you collected your data.

7. What did you find out from your investigation? What conclusions can you draw?

8. How could you obtain further evidence to help justify these conclusions, or prove them wrong?