TIMELINE
7/3/2014
Thinking: Experiment Ideas - which is the best parachute material - does hot water or tap water freeze faster - which ball bounces highest 8/3/2014
Thinking: Experiment Ideas (continuing) - does the amount of time we look at a screen affect how much we blink? - do different environments affect the rate of how fast a candle burns? - does the amount of vinegar affect how high foam goes up when poured into baking soda? (Need something that makes people curious yet simple to do.) 10/3/2014 Thinking Which ball bounces highest --> which tennis ball will bounce highest if we change temperature. Does temperature have an effect? Wrote down possible questions and ideas for how to carry out experiment. - Use camera to record height or person 11/3/2014 Thinking question: How could temperature affect tennis ball? - hot:, expands more. Maybe has an effect if expanded? - hot: material might dry up making it hard to bounce - cold: material may freeze - cold: inside air can freeze. The problem of the investigation of whether 'the bounce height is affected of a tennis ball placed in a freezer, thus reducing its temperature, is the first step in the scientific method and is written at the top. This hence allows anyone reading to know what they are dealing with and additionally provides context to the experiment. Decision: does temperature affect how high a tennis ball bounces. (intriguing yet simple experiment) This is an objective statement and clearly tells the audience what the experiment will be answering or resolving. In relation to the scientific method, it helps the audience understand it better as they are informed of all that comes from then onwards is to answer the aim. 12/3/2014 Research: - Size and material of a ball can affect its bounce - Ball bouncing produces heat. Warm temperature makes the air molecules expand within a ball whilst cold temperature makes the air molecules contract. (very important point - need more research to support and clearly understand how this works) Osbourne, Mary. (2011) Why Do Balls Bounce Differently? [America] Livestrong.com. http://www.livestrong.com/article/147292-why-do-balls-bounce-differently/ - When ball falls, air expands within. - Tennis balls contain pressurised air inside Stewart, David. (2014). A Science Project Using Cold Vs. Hot Tennis Balls. [America] EHow. http://www.ehow.com/info_12026623_science-project-using-cold-vs-hot-tennis-balls.html By doing background research in an investigation, a hypothesis can be formulated which makes understanding scientific method easier. The hypothesis is both subjective and a guess of the possible outcome. By thinking about different reasons that could be the answer to the aim, I finally decided 'the cooler ball will bounce lower as the air molecules inside are affected' which relates to our knowledge of the scientific method as for any other life situation, an opinion is formed or judgement is given, the scientific method also leaves room to make a guess and opinion on the outcome of the investigation. 14/3/2014 Research: - Explains as mass decreases, velocity increases and momentum is constant. (not really that helpful) A Book of Experiments Vol II . (2010). Massachusetts, America: Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI 15/3/2014 Research on bounces: - factors for vertical and horizontal bounces - bounce differs from surface to surface - friction can play a part in height of the bounce Lindsay, Crawford. (2004). Follow the Bouncing Ball. Tennis Industry Magazine. [America] http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2004/04/follow_the_bouncing_ball.html |
Equipment and materials collected: bluetack, tape measurer, two tennis balls, camera and refrigerator.
Method written out.
The method is a way that makes the scientist or the one performing the experiment to decide exactly how to answer the aim. They have the free will to be creative yet logical. With a step-by-step procedure, it connects to what we know of scientific method as it creates a relevant process that will obtain results supporting the conclusion
Method written out.
The method is a way that makes the scientist or the one performing the experiment to decide exactly how to answer the aim. They have the free will to be creative yet logical. With a step-by-step procedure, it connects to what we know of scientific method as it creates a relevant process that will obtain results supporting the conclusion
23/3/2014
Short research on why cold tennis ball's bounce is smaller:
- molecules inside are affected --> contracted (overall info)
- Why do balls bounce? When ball hits ground, gas inside push into ball and the ball bounces back up once ball shape is reformed (very interesting)
Sheehan, Krista. (2014). Does Temperature Affect How High a Tennis Ball Bounces?. [America] Livestrong.comliv
http://www.livestrong.com/article/401050-does-temperature-affect-how-high-a-tennis-ball-will-bounce/
(very helpful source)
24/3/2014 - morning
Continuing on why temperature affects a bounce.
Analysis of experiment found online: "Temperature - does it affect the height of the bounce?"
- hypothesis reasoning is based on density
- tennis balls made out of fibrous fluffy material --> alters their aerodynamic properties
Cha, Timothy. (2013). Temperature - does it affect the height of the bounce? [America] Gamma Science Universe.
http://gammascienceuniverse.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/temperature-does-it-affect-the-height-of-the-bounce/
24/3/2014 - night
Analysis of experiment found online: "How does temperature affect the bounce of a ball?"
(similar to chosen investigation and can probably be used as a source to compare results acquired once final experiment carried out)
- the colder the ball, the lower the bounce
Lee, Andrew. (2014). How does Heat Affect the Bounce of a Ball. [America] Andrew Lee's Science Research.
http://icercheryal.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/how-does-temperature-affect-the-bounce-of-a-tennis-ball/
(does age of a tennis ball affect its bounce?)
28/3/2014
Final experiment performed.
Analysis of results shows normal ball bounces higher. Both results and conclusion written up.
The results acquired from the experiment, are placed in a graph and table that further enhance our understanding of scientific method as it is set out in a easy manner to read and visualise which is used to create a conclusion. In the Tennis Ball Experiment, it concludes 'the normal ball bounced higher because of a temperature change in the cooler ball'. This conclusion that is derived from the basis of the understanding and meaning of the results, completes the experiment by linking back to the aim which is seen in a scientific method. The conclusion in the experiment then makes the final statement answering the aim which is vital in scientific method as it is prone to controversy but because of the steps beforehand in the investigation, there is support and evidence to make the solid conclusion that 'temperature does in fact have an affect on the bounce of a tennis ball'. It is because of the form of the scientific method where the method answers to the aim that makes the results obtained, correct or not false.
30/3/2014
Discussion Part 1 written out: What happened? & Why did it happen?
The discussion makes sure to explain the science behind the experiment in greater detail. By over viewing the experiment briefly before providing an explanation for the results, it helps in understanding scientific method as it ties up all the loose ends in the investigation and more or less provides people with an answer to the aim, results and conclusion. By stating the validity, reliability and limitations, the discussion can distinctly point out specific parts of the investigation that either support or discount the conclusion. Through scientific method, the discussion can easily identify what needs to be brought to light or important points that affect the investigation as a whole.
3/4/2014
Discussion Part 2 written out: Validity & Reliability
- perform 3 times
- variables must be mentioned
Thoughts:
- Would there be any changes if experiment was performed more?
- Would we have a better idea of exactly how much higher a normal ball can bounce than a cooler ball?
- What would happen if we changed a different variable instead? Like the height of where each ball is dropped.
- What happens if we leave the tennis ball in the fridge for a longer or shorter period of time?
9/4/2014
Discussion Part 3 written out: Limitations, Improvements and Successes
- No good tools to drop directly down
- Better observation method
If there were another method to answer the aim, would results obtained, stay the same or similar?
13/4/2014 - morning
Research on Scientific Method.
What is it? Why is it important? (Check webpage for more info)
Structure: aim, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, discussion
- Background info: Was brought up over a period of time
- Techniques used to investigate phenomena
- Scientific method can be applied to non-science related situations
anonymous. (2014). Scientific Method. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method
13/4/2014 - afternoon
Begin video.
Which parts to include to present the investigation?
Ball in freezer, dropping balls. Brief overview of discussions.
Note: If time left, talk about possible research, results could be used for.
18/4/2014
Extra research on investigation.
- both molecules and atoms move faster in the ball as temperature rises
- balls becomes more firm as gas tries to escape out
- impossible for molecules and atoms to completely stop moving (very interesting point)
- the cooler the ball, the less pressure and the slower atoms move
23/4/2014
Thinking and research:
Possible research that could be done in the future based on results of investigation.
- Does temperature affect all types of balls and their bounces?
- Does cooling the temperature make all objects sluggish and constrict their movement?
- Is the difference in height only because we're on Earth? What about on a different planet?
Discussion Part 3 written out: Limitations, Improvements and Successes
- No good tools to drop directly down
- Better observation method
If there were another method to answer the aim, would results obtained, stay the same or similar?
13/4/2014 - morning
Research on Scientific Method.
What is it? Why is it important? (Check webpage for more info)
Structure: aim, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, discussion
- Background info: Was brought up over a period of time
- Techniques used to investigate phenomena
- Scientific method can be applied to non-science related situations
anonymous. (2014). Scientific Method. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method
13/4/2014 - afternoon
Begin video.
Which parts to include to present the investigation?
Ball in freezer, dropping balls. Brief overview of discussions.
Note: If time left, talk about possible research, results could be used for.
18/4/2014
Extra research on investigation.
- both molecules and atoms move faster in the ball as temperature rises
- balls becomes more firm as gas tries to escape out
- impossible for molecules and atoms to completely stop moving (very interesting point)
- the cooler the ball, the less pressure and the slower atoms move
23/4/2014
Thinking and research:
Possible research that could be done in the future based on results of investigation.
- Does temperature affect all types of balls and their bounces?
- Does cooling the temperature make all objects sluggish and constrict their movement?
- Is the difference in height only because we're on Earth? What about on a different planet?
25/4/2014
Work and thinking: Experiment all written out by now. How can people understand what the results show? How does scientific method help understand the meaning of the results? As the investigation is set out in the form of scientific method, every part shows an example of the different parts to scientific method making it easier to grasp the concept and make each part fall into the next. By following the structured form of scientific method, the results are easier to understand since, the method that is performed is to answer the aim, makes the results also answer the aim. Thus the meaning of the results is based on what is being investigated and is explained in the conclusion. In the investigation of 'does temperature affect the height of a tennis ball bounce?', scientific method helps to understand the meaning of the results as the structure of the method is all linked making each part support the next meaning people do not have to doubt the results and because of the clear way it is set out, it is easy to understand what is being solved or answered. |
28/4/2014
Check all work and make sure everything is working. Last minute changes if there are any.
Check all work and make sure everything is working. Last minute changes if there are any.