Variables Affecting Motion - Middle School Physical Science
Card 1 of 25
Which variable is the control in this test: change $F$, measure $a$, keep $m$ the same?
Which variable is the control in this test: change $F$, measure $a$, keep $m$ the same?
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Controlled variable: $m$. Mass stays constant to isolate force's effect.
Controlled variable: $m$. Mass stays constant to isolate force's effect.
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What variable must be controlled to isolate the effect of force on acceleration in a fair test?
What variable must be controlled to isolate the effect of force on acceleration in a fair test?
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Mass, $m$, must be kept constant. Controls ensure only force varies between trials.
Mass, $m$, must be kept constant. Controls ensure only force varies between trials.
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What variable must be controlled to isolate the effect of mass on acceleration in a fair test?
What variable must be controlled to isolate the effect of mass on acceleration in a fair test?
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Net applied force, $F_{net}$, must be kept constant. Controls ensure only mass varies between trials.
Net applied force, $F_{net}$, must be kept constant. Controls ensure only mass varies between trials.
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What is the correct dependent variable if you measure motion by change in velocity over time?
What is the correct dependent variable if you measure motion by change in velocity over time?
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Acceleration, $a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$. Velocity change over time defines acceleration.
Acceleration, $a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$. Velocity change over time defines acceleration.
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What is the correct unit for force when identifying variables in a motion investigation?
What is the correct unit for force when identifying variables in a motion investigation?
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Newton, $\text{N}$. SI unit for force in physics calculations.
Newton, $\text{N}$. SI unit for force in physics calculations.
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What is the correct unit for mass when identifying variables in a motion investigation?
What is the correct unit for mass when identifying variables in a motion investigation?
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Kilogram, $\text{kg}$. SI unit for mass in physics calculations.
Kilogram, $\text{kg}$. SI unit for mass in physics calculations.
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What is the correct unit for acceleration when identifying variables in a motion investigation?
What is the correct unit for acceleration when identifying variables in a motion investigation?
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$\text{m/s}^2$. Derived from meters per second per second.
$\text{m/s}^2$. Derived from meters per second per second.
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Which variable should be held constant to reduce friction changes when comparing trials?
Which variable should be held constant to reduce friction changes when comparing trials?
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Surface type (and contact conditions) should be constant. Prevents friction from becoming an uncontrolled variable.
Surface type (and contact conditions) should be constant. Prevents friction from becoming an uncontrolled variable.
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Which variable should be held constant to keep gravitational effects the same across trials?
Which variable should be held constant to keep gravitational effects the same across trials?
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Location or slope angle (so $g$ component stays constant). Ensures gravity's effect remains uniform across trials.
Location or slope angle (so $g$ component stays constant). Ensures gravity's effect remains uniform across trials.
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Identify the independent variable: You change $F$ and measure $a$ while keeping $m$ constant.
Identify the independent variable: You change $F$ and measure $a$ while keeping $m$ constant.
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Independent variable: $F$. Force is what you change in this experiment.
Independent variable: $F$. Force is what you change in this experiment.
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Identify the dependent variable: You change $m$ and measure $a$ while keeping $F$ constant.
Identify the dependent variable: You change $m$ and measure $a$ while keeping $F$ constant.
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Dependent variable: $a$. Acceleration is what you measure when mass changes.
Dependent variable: $a$. Acceleration is what you measure when mass changes.
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Which variable should you measure to compute $a$ from motion data using $a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$?
Which variable should you measure to compute $a$ from motion data using $a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$?
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Change in velocity, $\Delta v$, and time interval, $\Delta t$. Both quantities are needed to calculate acceleration.
Change in velocity, $\Delta v$, and time interval, $\Delta t$. Both quantities are needed to calculate acceleration.
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Identify the missing variable needed to predict acceleration using $a = \frac{F_{net}}{m}$.
Identify the missing variable needed to predict acceleration using $a = \frac{F_{net}}{m}$.
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Net force, $F_{net}$, and mass, $m$. Both variables in the denominator and numerator are needed.
Net force, $F_{net}$, and mass, $m$. Both variables in the denominator and numerator are needed.
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What is the independent variable when testing how applied force affects acceleration?
What is the independent variable when testing how applied force affects acceleration?
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Applied force, $F$. You manipulate force to observe its effect on motion.
Applied force, $F$. You manipulate force to observe its effect on motion.
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What is the dependent variable when testing how applied force affects acceleration?
What is the dependent variable when testing how applied force affects acceleration?
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Acceleration, $a$. Acceleration changes in response to the applied force.
Acceleration, $a$. Acceleration changes in response to the applied force.
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What is the independent variable when testing how mass affects acceleration at constant force?
What is the independent variable when testing how mass affects acceleration at constant force?
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Mass, $m$. You vary mass to see how it affects motion.
Mass, $m$. You vary mass to see how it affects motion.
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Which force should be used in $F_{net} = ma$ when multiple forces act on an object?
Which force should be used in $F_{net} = ma$ when multiple forces act on an object?
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Net force, $F_{net}$ (vector sum of all forces). Add all forces vectorially to find total effect.
Net force, $F_{net}$ (vector sum of all forces). Add all forces vectorially to find total effect.
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What is the dependent variable when testing how mass affects motion at constant force?
What is the dependent variable when testing how mass affects motion at constant force?
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Acceleration, $a$. Acceleration responds to changes in mass.
Acceleration, $a$. Acceleration responds to changes in mass.
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Which variable is the control in this test: change $m$, measure $a$, keep $F_{net}$ the same?
Which variable is the control in this test: change $m$, measure $a$, keep $F_{net}$ the same?
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Controlled variable: $F_{net}$. Net force stays constant to isolate mass's effect.
Controlled variable: $F_{net}$. Net force stays constant to isolate mass's effect.
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What formula links net force, mass, and acceleration for designing motion investigations?
What formula links net force, mass, and acceleration for designing motion investigations?
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$F_{net} = ma$. Newton's second law relates these three variables.
$F_{net} = ma$. Newton's second law relates these three variables.
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Which variable should be measured directly with a spring scale when investigating force and motion?
Which variable should be measured directly with a spring scale when investigating force and motion?
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Applied force magnitude, $F$. Spring scales directly measure force in newtons.
Applied force magnitude, $F$. Spring scales directly measure force in newtons.
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Identify the best set of variables for testing $a$ vs. $F$: choose one to change, one to measure, one to control.
Identify the best set of variables for testing $a$ vs. $F$: choose one to change, one to measure, one to control.
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Change $F$; measure $a$; control $m$. Standard experimental design: one variable at a time.
Change $F$; measure $a$; control $m$. Standard experimental design: one variable at a time.
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What is the independent variable when you test how different masses affect motion under the same force?
What is the independent variable when you test how different masses affect motion under the same force?
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Mass, $m$. The object's mass is what you vary while keeping force constant.
Mass, $m$. The object's mass is what you vary while keeping force constant.
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Which two measured quantities are needed to calculate acceleration using $a=\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$?
Which two measured quantities are needed to calculate acceleration using $a=\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$?
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Change in velocity, $\Delta v$, and time interval, $\Delta t$. These values plug into the acceleration formula.
Change in velocity, $\Delta v$, and time interval, $\Delta t$. These values plug into the acceleration formula.
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Identify the independent variable in this test: keep $F_{net}$ constant and change $m$ between trials.
Identify the independent variable in this test: keep $F_{net}$ constant and change $m$ between trials.
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Mass, $m$. You're changing mass to see its effect.
Mass, $m$. You're changing mass to see its effect.
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