Simple velocity/motion question

[stuarthin]

I'm having some problem with a few results I gathered from a series of tests and am afraid I am missing something and/or misunderstanding some basic concepts.

My method for this test was to run a dynamics trolley down a slope at different angles, each angle being an amount of books starting from 3 books (Test 1) and ending with 7 books (Test 5).

My problem is, why are my results so...unexpected? Basically the higher the books, the greater the velocity right? Here are my peak velocities for the 5 tests:

T1 : 59cm/s
T2 : 94cm/s
T3 : 106cm/s
T4 : 87.5 cm/s
T5 : 102cm/s

Stopping distances:

T1 : 18.5 cm
T2 : 55 cm
T3 : 65 cm
T4 : 41 cm
T5 : 59 cm

The aim of this experiment is to determine whether or not speed is related to the stopping distance of a car. I intended to explain this statement throughout a series of test determining the speed, distance, and acceleration of a dynamics trolley and using data provided to solve the investigation.

Independent variable : Speed of Trolley
Dependent variable: Distance (stopping)


My attempt at solution: Possibly where the trolley stopped at the end of each test. I'm really not sure and was hoping somebody would point out the answer for me. I'm completely stumped as to why the peak velocity does not go higher and instead sort of jumps around.

 

[Leong]

Perhaps you should consider the air resistance (the drag force) and the friction to come out with a reasonable explanation that is consistent with your data.

 

[nlightner]

As a scientist, it is important to carefully analyze and interpret data to draw accurate conclusions. In this case, it seems like there may be some confusion about the relationship between velocity and stopping distance.

First, it is important to note that velocity is a measure of an object's speed and direction, while stopping distance is the distance an object travels before coming to a complete stop. These are two different variables and may not always have a direct relationship.

In your experiment, it appears that increasing the number of books on the slope does not necessarily result in a higher peak velocity. This could be due to a number of factors such as friction, air resistance, or the angle of the slope. It is important to control for these variables in your experiment to ensure accurate results.

Additionally, it is not surprising to see variability in the peak velocities and stopping distances for each test. This could be due to human error, variations in the equipment used, or other factors that may affect the results.

To further investigate the relationship between speed and stopping distance, it may be helpful to vary other factors such as the surface of the slope or the weight of the trolley. This will allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between these variables.

In conclusion, it is important to carefully consider all factors and variables when conducting experiments and analyzing data. It is possible that there may be other factors at play that could explain the unexpected results you are seeing. I would recommend reviewing your experimental design and data analysis to ensure accuracy and to consider further experiments to gain a better understanding of the relationship between speed and stopping distance.