Physics Lab 1

Research Question: Which form of paper takes the longest to fall from 1 meter to the ground? Independent Variable: Shape of the paper Dependant Variable: Time Variables Kept Constant: The mass of paper, the person dropping the paper, the people timing the drop, and the distance from the ground. Experiment: • Gather materials • Tape meter stick to lab bench • Weigh paper • Make the shapes from the paper • Drop from top of meter stick • Do three times for each shape • Record times on data table • Make average • Graph average Materials: • 4 pieces of paper • Balance • Meter stick • 2 stopwatches • Tape Conclusion: The plain, unaltered paper took the longest Errors: 1. Stop watches > Both timers can’t agree on time > Average the two times 2. Air resistance > Volume/ surface area > Do it in a vacuum 3. Variations in paper > Differences in air resistance > Use the same paper