Physci rolling marbles

Laboratory six was a practical laboratory. The students were presented with a simple system. Their task was to measure the two variables and then write a report on the nature of the mathematical relationship between the variables. They were also tasked with determining if the system is a predictable system.



The students explored the relationship between the mass of a marble and the distance the marble rolls on a ruler track when released from a ramp of constant height h. Three marble sizes were used, plus BBs for a fourth sphere size. The tracks proved too short for the taws. Above a taw is in motion on the track.



Massing the marbles.



The tracks are aluminum rulers from a local office supply store.