MYP Physics · 01 · investigation
A fair test of a toy car ramp
Scientific inquiry and measurement · Original GioPhysics question with a detailed, mark-by-mark answer guide.
- Demand
- demanding
- Marks
- 8
- Topics
- 2
- Answer
- Complete
A team claims that increasing the release height of a toy car increases its speed at the bottom of a ramp. They have one ramp, a metre rule, two light gates, blocks, and the same toy car.
- a
Formulate Write a testable research question and identify the independent and dependent variables.
3 marks - b
Design Describe a method that produces enough valid data to test the claim.
3 marks - c
Evaluate The car sometimes veers and misses a light gate. Propose one specific improvement and explain how it improves the evidence.
2 marks
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a
Formulate Write a testable research question and identify the independent and dependent variables.
Turn the task into a measurable method: name the independent, dependent and controlled quantities; describe apparatus and repeats; then explain how the evidence will be processed and how uncertainty or safety will be managed.
- 1
Writes a question that links release height to speed at the bottom for the same car and ramp.
- 2
Identifies release height as the independent variable.
- 3
Identifies speed measured by the light gates as the dependent variable.
b
Design Describe a method that produces enough valid data to test the claim.
Turn the task into a measurable method: name the independent, dependent and controlled quantities; describe apparatus and repeats; then explain how the evidence will be processed and how uncertainty or safety will be managed.
- 1
Uses at least five measured release heights spanning a sensible range and releases the car without a push.
- 2
Keeps relevant controls such as car, ramp surface, gate position, and ramp geometry unchanged.
- 3
Repeats each height, calculates representative speeds, and plots speed against release height.
c
Evaluate The car sometimes veers and misses a light gate. Propose one specific improvement and explain how it improves the evidence.
Turn the task into a measurable method: name the independent, dependent and controlled quantities; describe apparatus and repeats; then explain how the evidence will be processed and how uncertainty or safety will be managed.
- 1
Proposes a realistic guide rail or aligned channel that does not add substantial rubbing.
- 2
Explains that more runs pass through the same part of the gate, reducing lost or inconsistent measurements.
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