Maximum Score - 10 Points

Point Criteria:

• Allow 1 point for data collection taken three times (3 trials)
• Allow 1 point for correctly averaging and rounding at least two (2) of the three (3) distances.

• Allow 1 point for data showing an increase in the average distance as the number of books is increased.

Point Criteria:

• Allow 1 point for identifying height of the ramp as the variable.
• Allow 1 point for an explanation that states that the distance the cup moved is directly related to the height of the ramp.

Sample of acceptable responses:

- As the ramp was moved higher, the cup moved further.
- When the ramp was low, the cup did not roll as far as when it was higher.

Point Criteria:

• Allow 1 point if the student states that the increased energy of the ball leads to increased movement of the cup.
• Allow 1 point if the student states that the increased ramp height is the cause of the increase in the ball’s energy.
• Allow 2 points for both cause and effect.

Sample of acceptable responses:

- When there were more books, the ball had more energy and moved the cup further.
- When the ramp height was increased the potential energy was increased and led to more kinetic energy to move the cup.

Point Criteria:

• Allow 1 point if the student’s response matches his/her data.
• Allow 1 point if the student relates the change in distance to human factors involved in the experiment.

Sample of acceptable responses:

- The starting position of the cup may have varied.
- The ball may have been placed at different starting positions.
- Human element.
- Environmental factors.

Point Criteria:

• Allow 1 point if the student’s response states that several trials validate the data and allow for human error.