WhirlyBird Lab Report Lab partners: Iris and Glena
Question: “How does increasing the mass at the bottom of a whirlybird affect the drop time of
the whirlybird to reach the ground?”
Variables In this experiment,
- The I.V was The mass at the bottom.
- The D.V was The drop time
- Important C.V were: The drop height, length of the wings, and the thickness of the
variables.
Hypothesis:” It is predicted that increasing the mass at the bottom of a whirlybird will decrease
drop time due to added weight.”
Materials Used : Mass scales, phone (Stop watch), Paper, Paperclips, Meter stick
Apparatus Diagram
Procedure:
1. The meter stick was used to mark a height of 1m.
2. Individually measured the mass of each paper clip (0.4g)
3. Inserted paper clips one at a time over 3 trials.
4. Conducted the drop while measuring the drop time using a stopwatch/phone
5. Recorded the process in the table.
6. Repeated procedure steps 3, 4, and 5 in a repeating pattern until there were 6
paper clips at the bottom.
Qualitative observations: For 0.4 G, trail # 1 : Recording was delayed. For 1.2 G, trail #3:
Ended recording early. For 2 trail #1 : Changed the person releasing the whirlybird.
Question: “How does increasing the mass at the bottom of a whirlybird affect the drop time of
the whirlybird to reach the ground?”
Variables In this experiment,
- The I.V was The mass at the bottom.
- The D.V was The drop time
- Important C.V were: The drop height, length of the wings, and the thickness of the
variables.
Hypothesis:” It is predicted that increasing the mass at the bottom of a whirlybird will decrease
drop time due to added weight.”
Materials Used : Mass scales, phone (Stop watch), Paper, Paperclips, Meter stick
Apparatus Diagram
Procedure:
1. The meter stick was used to mark a height of 1m.
2. Individually measured the mass of each paper clip (0.4g)
3. Inserted paper clips one at a time over 3 trials.
4. Conducted the drop while measuring the drop time using a stopwatch/phone
5. Recorded the process in the table.
6. Repeated procedure steps 3, 4, and 5 in a repeating pattern until there were 6
paper clips at the bottom.
Qualitative observations: For 0.4 G, trail # 1 : Recording was delayed. For 1.2 G, trail #3:
Ended recording early. For 2 trail #1 : Changed the person releasing the whirlybird.
