Name: JJ

Date: 10-13-14
Per:
I.

Title

Effects Angle has on the Distance a Marble is Launcher

II.

Purpose

The purpose of this investigation is to find out if the angle a marble is

launched will or wont affect how far a marble travels. I believe the marble
will travel the farthest at zero degrees because if the marble travels straight
up at 90 degrees, and straight down at 270 degrees, I believe that zero will
travel the farthest because it is right in between the two angles.
III.

Materials
plastic marble
marble launcher
measuring tape
safety glasses

Figure 1 Marble launcher launching marble at 45 degrees.

IV.

Procedure

In order to find out how the angle a marble is launched affects the distance
the marble travels, the marble needs to be launched on the same surface, and
the same power. First, the safety goggles need to be put on. Next, put the
marble launcher down on a level surface. Then, lay the tape measure in front
of the launcher (in the same place for each trial.) After, put the marble in the
marble launcher (in the hole at the end of the tube). Then, the lever for the
launcher needs to be pulled back to the fifth notch. Next, set the angle at 0
4

degrees. Now, let the notch go, and let the marble fly. You will launch the
marble twice for each angle. the angles that will be tested are every five
angles starting at 0. Complete the same procedures for every angle that is to
be tested.

Table 1. Average Distances for Marbles Launched at Angles 10-80

Degrees.
Angle (degrees)

Average Distance (degrees)

0

285

10

296.5

15

343.5

20

416.5

25

459.5

30

595

35

658.5

40

655.5

45

665

50

701

55

666.5

60

657

65

572.5

70

416.5

75

342

80

238

Figure 1. The Effect of Angle on Distance

V. Analysis and Conclusion

The purpose of this project was to test if the angle a marble is launched will
affect the distance it travels. The hypothesis tested was the marble will travel
the farthest distance at 0 degrees. As the angle increases from 0 to 80
degrees, the marbles distance changed by going farther each time from 0 to
50, then from 55 to 80 the distances started getting less farther (Figure 1).
The marble traveled the largest distance at angle 50. The marble launched
701 centimeters(Table 1). Angle 80 shot the shortest distance, landing the
marble at 238 centimeters. The hypothesis tested was refuted. The marble
did not travel the farthest distance at zero degrees, but traveled the farthest
distance at 50 degrees, and traveled at 701 degrees (Table 1). The marble
could have been launched wrong because of the wind, the ground could have
been not level, or the distances could have simply been read wrong. This
project could be improved by having more trials to support the data, and
other variables that could be tested would be would angle affect the height
that a marble travels when it is launched.
4

Lab Report :
PSUSD lab
report
Teacher
Name:
Student
Name: _____
_____________
_____________
_________
CATEGORY
Purpose and/or
Hypothesis

Procedure (as
required)

4 advanced
The purpose of the
lab or the hypothesis
to be tested during
the lab is clearly
identified, stated
logically, and
supported with
evidence.
Someone could
reproduce the
experiment by
following the
procedure.

3 proficient
Purpose and/or
hypothesis is clear.

2 basic
1 below basic
Purpose and/or
Purpose and/or
hypothesis is unclear. hypothesis is
erroneous or
irrelevant

Procedures are listed Procedures are not

in clear steps.
clear.

Procedures are not

accurate.

Data/observations Graphs and tables

Clear, accurate, and Not completely clear, Disorganized and
are neat, clear,
correctly labeled.
well made, or
innacurate.
accurate, well labeled
complete.
and make it easy to
understand the
results.
Analysis and
Conclusion (for
reports with a
hypothesis)

Uses specific details

from the results to
support or reject the
hypothesis. Relates
the results to topics
covered in class.

Uses evidence from

the results to
correctly
support/reject the
hypothesis.

Correctly
Incorrectly
supports/rejects the supports/rejects the
hypothesis, but
hypothesis
doesn't use evidence.

Format and
conventions of
language

There are few if any There are some

errors in the use of errors, but a reader
grammar,
can still understand
punctuation, and
the report. Complete
spelling. The report is and follows the
complete and follows format.
the format.

Many errors. One or

two parts are hard to
understand. Missing
a section.

Serious errors. It is
hard to understand
the report. Missing
two or more sections.