Science Task 1 part 1
Variables
Independent Variable:
• Height of the ramp (heights: 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm)
Dependent Variables:
• Final velocity of the ball at the bottom of the ramp
• Kinetic energy of the ball
Controlled Variables:
• The same ball
• Same ramp length and surface
• Same starting position on the ramp
• Same mobile phone camera and recording settings
• releasing the ball by holding then releasing it (no push)
• Same location, surface, conditions and time
Aim
The aim of the experiment is to discover how the height of a ramp affects the final
velocity and energy of a ball rolling down that same ramp. Additionally, the data
must be recorded and graphed, to support the investigation.
Hypothesis
If the height of the ramp is increased, then the final velocity and kinetic energy of
the ball at the bottom of the ramp will increase, because the higher the ramp is,
the more gravitational potential energy is stored inside it, which will be
transformed into kinetic energy and speed.
Outline
The investigation involves setting up a ramp at different heights of 10cm, 20cm,
30cm, and 40cm. A ball will be released from the same starting point at the top of
the ramp without being pushed. While the ball is being released, a mobile phone
will begin recording. The camera recording will allow the motion of the ball to be
analysed frame-by-frame. A ruler or distance markers will be placed alongside
the ramp so that the distance travelled by the ball can be measured from the
video. By measuring the distance travelled and the time taken for the ball to
reach the bottom of the ramp, the final velocity of the ball can be calculated.
To make it reliable it will be recorded 3 times for each ramp height, and the
average velocity will be calculated. The height of the ramp will then be increased
in measurements of 10 cm (10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm) and the process
repeated 4 times.
Introduction
“The height of a ramp affects the final velocity and energy of a ball rolling
down that same ramp?”
Energy is the capacity to do work or cause change. In situations like the
experiment provided, it is in the form of gravitational potential energy, and kinetic
energy. Gravitational potential energy is the stored energy within everything that
is above ground or in a high place and is suddenly released into kinetic energy.
The higher an object is, the more gravitational potential energy it contains, which
means the higher the ramp, is, the faster the ball will roll. The ball will continue to
accelerate at a steady rate of 9.8 m/s^2 (the acceleration of gravity) meaning it
will gain 9.8m/s of speed every second, so the longer the ball takes to travel the
distance of the ramp, the faster it will be.
Increasing the height of the ramp should increase the amount of gravitational
potential energy, which can then be transformed into kinetic energy as the ball
moves down the ramp. A mobile phone camera will be used to record the motion
of the ball so the time taken to travel the ramp can be measured more accurately.
Method
The ramp was placed on a table, and one end was raised using books to create
the first height, which was measured with a ruler. A mobile phone camera was
positioned on a stable surface to record the ball rolling down the ramp. Rulers
were placed alongside the ramp to measure distance. The ball was released from
the same starting point without being pushed while the camera recorded the
motion. The video was then analysed to determine the time taken for the ball to
travel the measured distance, allowing the final velocity to be calculated (using
the formula v = u + at). The experiment was repeated three times for each ramp
height, and the average velocity was calculated. The ramp height was then
increased in consistent increments (10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm) and
the experiment repeated while keeping all other variables constant. The data will
then be represented in a line graph.
Risk Assessment
Hazard Risk Safety Control
Ball may fall or hit Conduct experiment away from
Ball rolling off the ramp
someone table edges
Device may be Secure phone on a tripod or
Phone falling
damaged stable surface
Ensure ramp is supported by
Ramp slipping Equipment may fall
stable blocks
Trip hazards from Keep workspace organised and
Minor injury
equipment clear
References
• Grainger Engineering Office of Marketing and
Communications. (n.d.). Balls Rolling Down the Ramp. University of
Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved March 12, 2026, from
[Link]
• Lloyd Morgan. (2015, August 04). How Does Increasing the Height of a
Ramp Affect the Speed of an Object? [Link]. Retrieved March
12, 2026, from [Link]
technology/increasing-height-ramp-affect-speed-object-
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