Think about how you might proceed from here. Remember, a scientist only changes one variable at a time.
3 How are you going to design the vehicle and arrange the equipment? It might be helpful to draw a diagram and make a full list of the materials you need.
4 What variables will you have to keep the same to make this a fair test?
5 What measurements will you take and what instruments will you need to take those measurements?
6 Is there anything else you will need to do to ensure accuracy? 7 How will you go about presenting your data?
8 Based on your knowledge and experience, make a list of predictions for the outcome of this investigation. Explain your reasons for these predictions.
Step 4: Observations in the real world
Now you need to carry out the investigation. Remember to record your results in a clear way and to note any observations you make. It might be a good idea to record the collisions using a camera or video to compare to any other data you might collect.
Fig. 17.9.3 Wall Crash test dummy Car Ramp Block
Books used to adjust height
Suggested set-up 1 Step 5: Presenting and interpreting data
Now that you have obtained your data, you need to present it in a way that will help explain your findings to teenagers.
9 Would a table of results alone show what you want to communicate in the blog?
10 Do you need to draw a graph or a chart? If so, decide on the type that suits what you are trying to show.
11 Are there any limitations to the method used in this investigation? If so, what are they?
12 Based on the evidence, summarise your conclusions about the impact of wearing and not wearing a seat belt. Link this back to what you learned about motion in this chapter: z Balanced and unbalanced forces
z Acceleration z Forces and shapes
13 Now write the blog. Think about the importance of communicating this information in a way that the teenage readers of the blog will relate to and understand.
305 Suggested set-up 2
Books used to adjust height
Suggested set-ups for investigation Crash test dummy
