Science kinetic energy

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment; in this case, the speed of the cart.

Independent Variable

The variable that is changed in an experiment; in this case, the mass of the cart.

Kinetic Energy

The energy that an object possesses due to its motion, depending on its mass and speed.

Average Speed Calculation

The method of averaging multiple trials to obtain a consistent measurement; calculated as the sum of times divided by the number of trials.

Trial

A single round of experimentation to collect data; multiple trials are conducted for reliability.

Hypothesis

An educated guess on the outcome of an experiment; in this case, that speed increases as mass is added.

Data Table

A structured format for recording and organizing data collected during an experiment.

Evidence

Data or observations that support a claim; in this experiment, the collected averages illustrate the relationship between mass and speed.

Reasoning

The explanation that connects the claim and evidence, illustrating why the results make sense, such as the relationship between mass, speed, and kinetic energy.

Procedure

A step-by-step guide to conducting an experiment, detailing the necessary steps to test the hypothesis.