Power Output Scientific Investigation
Before you begin the scientific investigation below, make sure to download the Power Output Scientific Investigation Report. As you complete this scientific investigation, fill in any needed information on the report template. If you need more information about each section of the report, please visit the Developmental Module.
This scientific investigation is available below or in a printable version.
Introduction
In physics, work is the product of the force exerted on an object and the distance the object moves in the direction of the force. When the force is in the same direction that the object moves, work is done. When the force and the displacement are in the same direction, this means that work equals force times distance. While there are many times that you may feel you are doing "work," one solid example is climbing a set of stairs. Using several different measurements and conversions, you can determine your power input as you climb a set of stairs.
Objectives
In this scientific investigation, you will:
Hypothesis
Using the Procedure and Data Collection section below, read through the procedural information for this scientific investigation. Based on your understanding of the procedure, develop your own hypotheses which describe your expected results. You should consider the following question: What is your power output when you climb the stairs? Record your hypotheses in the Hypothesis section of your Power Output Scientific Investigation Report.
Equipment and Materials
Procedure and Data Collection
Data
Use the data table in the Data section of your Power Output Scientific Investigation Report to record your data from this scientific investigation. The data table is also shown below:
Measurement or Calculation | Data Type | Quantity |
Your mass in pounds | Mass | |
Your mass in kilograms | Mass | |
Your weight in Newtons | Weight | |
Time it takes you to walk quickly up the stairs in seconds | Time | |
The height of one step in meters | Height | |
The number of steps | Number | |
The total height of the stairway in meters | Height | |
The work you did in Joules | Work | |
Your power in Watts | Power |
Data Analysis
In the Data Analysis section of your Power Output Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions. Make sure to completely answer each question and to show all of your work.
Conclusion
Using the Conclusion section of your Power Output Scientific Investigation Report, compose three to four sentences describing an overall conclusion based on your data. Were your hypotheses true or false, and how do you know? Use the data and notes that you collected from your experience to form your conclusion. Make sure that you include information that you gained from data analysis to support your conclusion.
Experimental Sources of Error
On your Power Output Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions: Are there any sources of error? If so, what are they, and what could be done to minimize error?
Once you have completed the Power Output Scientific Investigation Report, please submit your work to the dropbox.