Physics - Criterion B & C Assessment, Akshit Kumar, MYP-4 G

Title: Racing Fever: - Investigating the effect of the angle of a Dynamics
track on the acceleration of a cart
Research question:
How does the angle of a ramp affect the acceleration of a toy car travelin
g a fixed distance on a dynamics track?
Hypothesis:
If the angle of the ramp is increased (made steeper), then the

acceleration of the cart rolling down the ramp will also increase.
Elucidation: - Gravity is a constant force pulling objects downward.

When a cart is placed on a ramp, some of this force acts to pull the cart
down the incline, and this force component gets larger with a steeper
ramp angle. A larger gravitational force acting in the direction of motion
will cause the cart to accelerate faster according to Newton's second law
of motion (F = ma, where F is net force, m is mass, and a is
acceleration).
Variables:
Independent Variable (IV): The angle of the ramp, which is manipulated

every five trials for each angle (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 degrees).
Dependent Variable (DV): The acceleration of the race car, which is

measured using the final, initial velocity and time.
Controlled Variables (CVs): The distance of the dynamics track (200

cm), the mass of the race car, and the surface friction, which are kept
constant to ensure a fair test.
Materials and Equipment:
1. Dynamics track with secure block X1 (200 cm)

2. PASCO cart X1
3. Stopwatch X1
4. ruler or meter stick X1
5. 200-page notebooks (each measuring 10 degrees in angle) X4
Key (of all essential information required): -

➢ Acceleration: - Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity,
measured in meters per second squared (m/s²), and is calculated
using the formula v-u/t where v is the final velocity, u is the initial
velocity (0) and t is the time (seconds).
➢ Velocity: - Velocity is the rate of change of position, measured in
meters per second (m/s), and is calculated using the
formula v=d/t where d the distance covered, t is the total time.
➢ Distance: - measured in meters
➢ Time: - measured in seconds
Procedure:
1. Gather all necessary materials, including a (200 cm) dynamics

track with secure blocks, a PASCO cart, a stopwatch or timer, a
ruler or meter stick, and four 200-page notebooks.
2. Place the cart at the starting point of the track, ensuring it is

securely positioned. Ensure the track is level and free from any
obstacles.
3. Measure the distance of the track using a ruler or meter stick.

Record the distance in meters.
4. Perform 5 trials of the cart moving along the track at angle 0

degrees. For each trial: Start the stopwatch or timer as the cart
begins to move from rest.
5. Measure the time taken for the cart to cover the 200-centimeter
distance using the stopwatch or timer.
6. Record the time taken for each trial.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 for angles 10, 20, 30, and 40 degrees, for 5
trials, for accuracy. Record the data in the form of a table,
calculating the average time, velocity, and acceleration.
8. SAFETY: - Ensure the cart is securely positioned and the track is

clear of any obstacles. Keep fingers away from the cart's wheels
and the track's edges to avoid accidents. Position the Dynamics
track on a flat surface away from surface edges to avoid
equipment damage in the event of cart derailment.
9. Calculate the mean (average) time for all trials by adding times
and dividing them by the number of trials. Calculate the average
velocity for each trial by dividing the distance by the average time
taken. Calculate the acceleration by dividing the average velocity
by the time taken.
10. Plot a graph of velocity vs. time to visualize the data and
identify trends.
11. Analyse the data and conclude the acceleration of the cart.
12. Conclude the experiment by making inferences, and

reflecting on the positives/strengths, weaknesses, and
improvements based around the experiment.
❖ Control Group:- The Control Group for this investigation will

include the angle of the ramp at 20 degrees. This is because there
are angles that are both lower and steeper than 20 degrees. We
are keeping a 20-degrees angle for referencing, where we will
compare the acceleration of the other 4 angles with the 20 degrees
angle, assisting us in making inferences that will support our
hypothesis and allow us to make a conclusion.
❖ Experimental Group: - The experimental group is for the testing of

the other angles of the ramp from 0, 10, 30, 40 degrees to test its
effect on the acceleration of the race car. The results and
acceleration obtained will be compared alongside the 20 degrees
angle, which is the Control Group.
Apparatus used:
Data collected (observations) & presented:

1. Observations (Qualitative data): - At lower angles (0, 10, 20
degrees), the cart was seen to reach the end fairly fast. But as the
angles increased (30, 40 degrees), the cart gained pace and
reached the end noticeably quick. The timings were also gradually
decreasing with each angle. The steep angles forced the cart to
crash into the secure blocks at high speeds which caused
derailment and a near fall.
2. Numerical data (Quantitative data): -

Formulae: -
Velocity: - v = d/t
Acceleration: - a = v-u / t
Angle Time Avera Veloc Accelera
of the ge ity tion
Ramp Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Time (ms^- (ms^-2)
(degre (Time (Time (Time (Time (Time 1)
es) measu measu measu measu measu
red in red in red in red in red in
second second second second second
s) s) s) s) s)
0 0.94 0.72 0.78 0.74 0.85 0.80 2.50 3.125
10 0.75 0.65 0.84 0.68 0.72 0.72 2.77 3.847
20 0.63 0.66 0.65 0.72 0.66 0.66 3.03 4.591
30 0.54 0.69 0.59 0.56 0.60 0.59 3.38 5.729
40 0.59 0.54 0.53 0.40 0.54 0.52 3.84 7.385

Graph:
Draw conclusions:
This experiment examined the effect of the angle of a dynamics track on

the acceleration of a cart traveling a fixed distance. The hypothesis for
this lab was "If the angle of the ramp is increased (made steeper), then
the acceleration of the cart rolling down the ramp will also increase." The
data and the graph generated from the experiment support the
hypothesis. As the angle of the ramp increased, the average time it took
for the cart to travel the track decreased (0.80 -> 0.52 seconds). This
resulted in a calculated increase in the average velocity (2.5 -> 3.84 m/s)
and acceleration (3.125 -> 7.385 m/s^2) of the cart. Scientifically,
steeper ramps allow for a greater gravitational pull acting on the cart in
the direction of motion. This aligns with Newton's second law of motion
(F = ma), where a larger net force (due to a greater gravitational pull)
acting on the constant mass of the cart leads to a greater acceleration.
Evaluate results:
The data provides a positive indication that increasing the ramp angle
increases acceleration. However, for a more reliable conclusion,
additional trials at each angle would be beneficial. Slight variations can
occur during each trial, and more data strengthens the overall trend.
There were no major changes to the method during the experiment.
However, one part of the experiment could be improved: -
➢ Human Error: The starting and stopping of the stopwatch could
introduce slight variations in the measured times. Utilizing a motion
sensor to track the cart's movement throughout the entire run
could eliminate this human error.
➢ Using 200-page notebooks to set the angles may not have
provided perfect precision.
Some improvements for future experiments: -
• Increase the number of trials per angle (e.g., 10 trials) to
strengthen the data set.
• Use a protractor or an adjustable inclined plane with precise angle
settings to ensure more accurate and consistent angles.
• Explore the effect of using a cart with a different mass to see if it
affects the relationship between angle and acceleration.
• Implement a motion sensor to capture more precise time
measurements.
• Explore the impact of different track materials (e.g., smoother
surfaces) on friction and acceleration.

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Title: Racing Fever: - Investigating the effect of the angle of a Dynamics

track on the acceleration of a cart

If the angle of the ramp is increased (made steeper), then the

Elucidation: - Gravity is a constant force pulling objects downward.

Independent Variable (IV): The angle of the ramp, which is manipulated

Dependent Variable (DV): The acceleration of the race car, which is

Controlled Variables (CVs): The distance of the dynamics track (200

Materials and Equipment:

1. Dynamics track with secure block X1 (200 cm)

Key (of all essential information required): -

1. Gather all necessary materials, including a (200 cm) dynamics

2. Place the cart at the starting point of the track, ensuring it is

3. Measure the distance of the track using a ruler or meter stick.

4. Perform 5 trials of the cart moving along the track at angle 0

6. Record the time taken for each trial.

8. SAFETY: - Ensure the cart is securely positioned and the track is

12. Conclude the experiment by making inferences, and

❖ Control Group:- The Control Group for this investigation will

❖ Experimental Group: - The experimental group is for the testing of

Data collected (observations) & presented:

2. Numerical data (Quantitative data): -

0 0.94 0.72 0.78 0.74 0.85 0.80 2.50 3.125

10 0.75 0.65 0.84 0.68 0.72 0.72 2.77 3.847

20 0.63 0.66 0.65 0.72 0.66 0.66 3.03 4.591

30 0.54 0.69 0.59 0.56 0.60 0.59 3.38 5.729

40 0.59 0.54 0.53 0.40 0.54 0.52 3.84 7.385

This experiment examined the effect of the angle of a dynamics track on

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