Investigating Unexpected Results in Elementary Experiment

Thread starter nomadreid
Start date Jan 20, 2023
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Elementary Experiment Hooke's law

In summary, the conversation discusses an elementary experiment involving a slingshot and projectile. The experiment was done successfully with secondary school classes, but when given to a homeschooling student in a different country, the results were off by a factor of two. The experiment assumes that the rubber strip in the slingshot follows Hooke's Law and involves finding the spring constant (k) experimentally, measuring the angle and length of the projectile, shooting it multiple times, and calculating the theoretical and measured horizontal distances. The calculations were correct, but the most likely reason for the discrepancy is the value of k. One suggestion is to measure/calculate k multiple times to account for variability in the rubber strip.

Jan 22, 2023

nomadreid

Gold Member

haruspex said:

You mean (v2*sin2A)/g.

oops, yes. o:)

Apologies, .

haruspex said:

Also, it looks like at release the projectile is about 2.7cm above the ground, which should add about 5cm to the range.
Feeding 111cm into the formula I get 3.7m/s.

OK, that makes a lot more sense now. Thanks very much, haruspex.

erobz said:

Ok, so this is where the actual geometry of the slingshot could come into play.

Thanks again, erobz. I presume it is OK for me to use your diagram (but with numbers, since an equation with that many variables is a bit much for a 13-year old) in explaining some of these ideas in my next lesson with the student?

<h2>1. What are unexpected results in elementary experiments?</h2><p>Unexpected results in elementary experiments refer to outcomes that are different from what was predicted or expected based on previous knowledge or theories. These results can be surprising, unusual, or even contradictory to the initial hypothesis.</p><h2>2. Why is it important to investigate unexpected results in elementary experiments?</h2><p>It is important to investigate unexpected results in elementary experiments because they can provide valuable insights and new knowledge about the topic being studied. By understanding why the results were unexpected, scientists can improve their understanding of the underlying principles and potentially make new discoveries.</p><h2>3. What are some possible reasons for unexpected results in elementary experiments?</h2><p>There are several possible reasons for unexpected results in elementary experiments. These can include experimental errors, faulty equipment, incorrect assumptions or hypotheses, and unknown variables that were not accounted for in the experiment. It is important to carefully analyze and consider all possible factors when investigating unexpected results.</p><h2>4. How can unexpected results in elementary experiments be investigated?</h2><p>To investigate unexpected results in elementary experiments, scientists may need to repeat the experiment, make adjustments to the experimental design, or conduct further research to gather more data. It is also important to consult with other experts in the field and consider alternative explanations for the unexpected results.</p><h2>5. What are some tips for dealing with unexpected results in elementary experiments?</h2><p>Some tips for dealing with unexpected results in elementary experiments include keeping detailed records of the experiment, carefully analyzing the data, and being open to alternative explanations. It is also important to approach unexpected results with curiosity and a willingness to learn from them, rather than viewing them as failures.</p>

1. What are unexpected results in elementary experiments?

Unexpected results in elementary experiments refer to outcomes that are different from what was predicted or expected based on previous knowledge or theories. These results can be surprising, unusual, or even contradictory to the initial hypothesis.

2. Why is it important to investigate unexpected results in elementary experiments?

It is important to investigate unexpected results in elementary experiments because they can provide valuable insights and new knowledge about the topic being studied. By understanding why the results were unexpected, scientists can improve their understanding of the underlying principles and potentially make new discoveries.

3. What are some possible reasons for unexpected results in elementary experiments?

There are several possible reasons for unexpected results in elementary experiments. These can include experimental errors, faulty equipment, incorrect assumptions or hypotheses, and unknown variables that were not accounted for in the experiment. It is important to carefully analyze and consider all possible factors when investigating unexpected results.

4. How can unexpected results in elementary experiments be investigated?

To investigate unexpected results in elementary experiments, scientists may need to repeat the experiment, make adjustments to the experimental design, or conduct further research to gather more data. It is also important to consult with other experts in the field and consider alternative explanations for the unexpected results.

5. What are some tips for dealing with unexpected results in elementary experiments?

Some tips for dealing with unexpected results in elementary experiments include keeping detailed records of the experiment, carefully analyzing the data, and being open to alternative explanations. It is also important to approach unexpected results with curiosity and a willingness to learn from them, rather than viewing them as failures.