Physics Internal Assessment

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Investigating motion of cylinder

through variation of volume in the cylinder

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Word Count: 2300

A. Saleha
Abstract
As an IB learner, mechanisms at work behind the subtlest things in life are quite fascinating to
look at. It intrigues me as of why a bottle sometimes remain stationary or its motion becomes
distinct in some conditions. Evidently, the factors that could influence the motion are either
volume or density. Having the concept in mind, an investigation was drawn and conducted to
look into the question: How does volume of water in a cylinder affect its motion as it rolls
down a slope?
When you bring change in volume of water, the volume directly affects the mass of the cylinder.
As the fluid will be kept same throughout, density will not influence the motion. A cylinder with
more water will have more mass, leading to greater inertia. Greater inertia means it will resist
changes in its motion more strongly. As the cylinder rolls down the ramp, this inertia will affect
how quickly it accelerates and how far it travels. The term ‘inertia’ is dictated by Newton’s first
law of motion and it refers to as a property of matter by which it resists change to its state of
motion. However, the distribution of mass within the cylinder, influenced by volume of water,
affects its rotation inertia, as the mass is asymmetrically distributed when it is in motion. The
movement of water during motion may be a factor to contribution to increased kinetic energy. It
is also important to note that principles of rotational motion, such as rotational kinetic energy,
become relevant as the cylinder rolls down the ramp. Drag forces are also involved as we are
dealing with fluids; air between water and surface of water would influence effect of drag
forces, as volume increases in cylinder.
The experiment drawn to ensure the prediction consists of several variables. The independent
variable is volume; dependent variable is distance which can in turn influence time and speed.
The control is height of ramp, or inclined plane. Type of surface and cylinder are also kept
constant, thus force like friction will remain same for every trial and have minimized influence
over the result. The objective is to roll the cylinder down the slope and allowing it to cover
distance, while recording time and distance. Volume of water will be changed each trial and
each reading will be taken 3 times and average will be calculated, as in to reduce random error
and maintain accuracy. Each reading will be recorded to 2 decimal places, to improve accuracy.
Graphs were constructed, using R-coding.
Uncertainties also have to be taken into account. In the use of instruments, their precision is to
be estimated due to systematic error: measuring tape (±0.1 cm), measuring cylinder (±0.1 ml),
stopwatch (±0.1 s). However, in case of random error, uncertainty will be calculated for each
reading and shown on graph as error bars.

Hypothesis
Relationship expected to appear between distance and volume has to be directly proportional.
Given that height of ramp and density of liquid is kept constant, as volume is increased, it will
travel more distance. The reason is increased kinetic energy and effect on rotational inertia.
A heavier cylinder may seem to have more inertia but factors such as stability can counteract
their effects.

Diagram

My Apparatus

Material Used
o Ramp: A box that opened up to be inclined was available in physics lab. In the second
experiment with variation of height, two long scales were set up to be used as an inclined
surface.
o Cylinder: a plastic bottle in shape of a cylinder was used instead.
o Different sizes of measuring cylinder: to increase volume of water for each trial, by
measuring water in exact quantity.
o Measuring tape: to measure the distance travelled by the cylinder
 o Stopwatch: to measure the time taken by the cylinder to cover distance
o Marker: to mark the exact stop where the cylinder stopped, so the measurements could be
done with ease.

Variables
Independent Variable:
Volume
Measurement method Number of readings taken Unit
Measuring cylinders were filled to the required 14 𝑐𝑚3 / mL
amount as indicated by the graduations on the
measuring cylinder, and proceeding to fill the
bottle by pouring the contents of the measuring
cylinder into the bottle. 50 𝑐𝑚3 was increased
after each trial.

Dependent Variable:
Distance
Measurement method Number of readings taken Unit
Each concrete block on the floor was measured 42 cm
earlier. When the cylinder travelled the distance,
number of blocks it covered were counted and
multiplied by each block’s distance (60 cm). If it
covered half or less than a block, the spot was
marked and measured by the measuring tape.

Time was also considered a dependent variable and was recorded each time, 42 readings as
well. Both the variables can be used to calculate speed and will be a helpful addition for the
evaluation.

Control Variables:
• The height of the ramp (20 cm) or slope angle is kept same throughout which the cylinder
rolls down on, due to the fact the steeper the incline is, more factors will be influential
over the result which would make it difficult to extract any meaningful analysis from the
data.
• The cylinder used would be the same throughout the trials due to different materials
properties such as its density, mass and surface texture. Surface of a different cylinder
 may cause more friction with the ground more than another cylinder which can impact
the distance travelled.
• The starting distance, or the release point from the ramp from where readings will be
taken from will also remain the same to ensure that the readings can be scaled to each
other.
• Same ramp is used throughout an experiment; thus, the factor of friction remains
minimized.

Method
1. Set up your apparatus on flat surface.
i. Make sure you have plenty of space for the cylinder to travel.
ii. Take help of another person and divide the tasks: one will release the bottle from ramp
and other can observe, record time and mark where the bottle stops.
iii. Keep a datasheet close to record readings side by side.
2. Take the first reading from 0 ml.
i. Release the cylinder from the fixed point at top of the ramp.
ii. Make sure you are not applying any force or push.
iii. Repeat this 3 times, and record time and distance for each reading.
iv. Take them as d1, d2, d3 and t1, t2, t3.
3. Continue this with different volumes of water.
i. Fill the cylinder after measuring the required quantity in the measuring cylinder i.e. 50
or 100 ml. Make sure your eye level is opposite to meniscus, as in to avoid parallax
error.
ii. Repeat each step and make sure ramp and cylinder are on their initial position after
each trial.
iii. Keep increasing the volume by 50 ml after trial.
4. When you are done with at least 6 to 7 trials, calculate of both time and distance from
their three readings for each trial.
i. Calculate their uncertainty as well.
ii. Plot the graph by the obtained data to identify correlation. Volume on the x-axis and
distance on the y-axis.

Precautions
No safety concerns were faced. A plastic bottle was used as the cylinder in experiment which is
a sustainable choice as it is recyclable.

Limitations
To ensure the experiment is more reliable and accurate, such steps could be taken:
 • A digital camera could be used to record the entire experiment and observed more closely
to get accurate readings of time and distance since human reaction error could occur with
a stopwatch and one could miss exact stopping point of the cylinder as it would jolt back
a little.
• Since a cylinder wasn’t available, a plastic bottle was used. However, to accomplish
analytical accuracy, use of a proper cylinder would be appropriate.
• Another element that could be altered is to keep the slope surface material same as the
flat surface (i.e. floor), that would keep the coefficient of dynamic friction constant
throughout and its role in the experiment would be further minimized.
• Volume readings could be kept smaller, with a difference of 10 ml. So, a larger range of
data could be obtained and small change in observation would be evident.
• A way could be devised to secure the ramp with the flat surface of floor, to prevent any
movement.
• Type of ramp was changed for the second set of experiment. That is not advisable if you
want to have reliable results with no interference of external factors in between.

Raw Data
Volume/ml d1 /cm d2 d3 t1 /s t2 t3
0 201.5 240 225 3.53 4.72 3.75
50 149.5 126.5 147.5 2.44 2.82 2.87
100 198 185.5 189 4.16 3.75 3.95
150 207 207.5 206.5 4.41 4.56 4.33
200 240 240 240 4.95 5.15 5.35
250 272.5 267.5 278 6.27 5.85 6.03
300 300 288.5 300 8 6.31 6.9

Processed Data
Volume/ml D avg D unc T avg T unc Speed cm/s
0 222 19.25 4 0.6 55.5
50 141.17 11.5 2.71 0.215 52.1
100 190.83 6.25 3.95 0.21 48.3
150 207 0.5 4.43 0.12 46.7
200 240 0 5.15 0.2 46.6
250 272.67 5.25 6.05 0.21 45.1
300 296.17 5.75 7.07 0.85 41.9
Correlation of average distance with respect to volume of liquid

Correlation of average time with respect to volume of liquid

Correlation of average speed with respect to volume of liquid

Change of Height of the Slope
It would be interesting to note that if same correlation is obtained from the results when height
of the ramp -the slope is changed to 15 cm. In previous set of experiment, the height was 20 cm
and was kept constant throughout the experiment. We conducted another set of experiment, by
setting up a ramp using wooden scales with height of 15 cm, from the floor to the point where
cylinder was released. The type of ramp was changed because the previous ramp caused the
cylinder a slight jump at the bottom of the ramp and that may have caused inaccuracy in the
results. Thus, it is to be acknowledged that change in ramp will influence over results. However,
we will ignore, would not consider it as a factor and analyze data as it is.
Same methodology was carried out for the second set of experiment; volume as independent
variable, distance as dependent along with height as control.

Second Set of Experiment:

Raw Data
Volume/ml d1 /cm d2 d3 t1 /s t2 t3
0 137 138 137.5 4.62 4.53 4.44
50 108 60 60 3.94 4.25 3.9
100 139.5 136.5 137.5 4.44 4.34 4.84
150 163 171 180 4.75 5.18 5.25
200 211 203.5 203.5 4.53 3.94 3.95
250 240 240 240 5.87 6.03 5.63
300 261 264 269 5.15 5.47 5.78

Processed Data
Volume/ml D avg D unc T avg T unc Speed cm/s
0 137.5 0.5 4.53 0.09 30.35
50 76 24 4.03 0.175 18.86
100 137.8 1.5 4.54 0.2 24.87
150 171.3 8.5 5.06 0.25 33.85
200 206 3.75 4.14 0.295 49.76
250 240 0 5.84 0.08 41.1
300 264.67 4 5.47 0.315 48.39
Correlation of average distance with respect to volume of liquid

Correlation of average time with respect to volume of liquid

Correlation of average speed with respect to volume of liquid

Calculations
𝑑1 + 𝑑2 + 𝑑3
𝐷𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
3
𝑡1 + 𝑡2 + 𝑡3
𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
3
𝑀𝑎𝑥 − 𝑀𝑖𝑛
𝑈𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 =
2
𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Evaluation
After arrangement of the data and graphical representation, our hypothesis can be said to be
true, as we see linear and positive correlation, or direct proportionality between volume and
distance. Both sets of the experiment do not contradict the relation; distance-volume graph and
time-volume graph could be seen to have positive gradient due to rising slope of the line of best
fit. Positive and strong correlation could also be seen by points being closer to line. On the
contrary, we saw negative strong correlation, or inverse proportionality due to slightly
decreasing gradient in the first speed-volume graph. Whereas, the second set of experiment has
positive gradient and direct proportionality, with weak correlation.
This variation is intriguing to observe; theoretically, as distance increases, speed should
decrease. But in the second set of experiment, time didn’t increase at a constant rate as we
increased the volume. Calculations of speed also resulted in inconsistent values. Therefore, it
can be observed that time had inaccuracy that affected our reliability on observation of speed.
Another distinct thing to note is that volume=0 is not consistent with the rest of the data and
does not fit in the pattern, in either of the experiments. It always had greater values of distance
and time, than the ones that followed. Therefore, the cylinder would no volume cannot be said
to be affected by rotational inertia or distribution of mass, because it contained no fluid.
Furthermore, as volume increased, the values of distance and time became more arithmetic -
persistent with the pattern. Larger volumes did not have any anomalous values and readings
were quite close to each other, with small uncertainty values. One higher value of volume in
both sets of data even obtained no variation in the reading in each trial and procured 0
uncertainty.
Other ways to see the experiment would have been through calculations of kinetic energy,
potential energy. Although, theoretically, we could apply apply equation of motion, as the
acceleration of cylinder would have been constant rate due to gravity, which is 9.81 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 . But
that idea is rejected as we see that the cylinder does not move with constant speed as we change
volume. To add on, it can be pondered upon how would the range covered by the cylinder
rolling down the ramp be affected by change in the density of the liquid which is inside the
cylinder. If we see it by perspective of advanced fluid mechanics, we can relate our experiment
to flow regime transitions. Changes in volume could alter the Reynolds number, so that the
cylinder’s motion down the ramp may transition between laminar and turbulent flow.
Furthermore, magnitude of drag force is altered that has effect on speed and acceleration.

Conclusion
The experiment has provided insight into complex interactions of volume and motion in context
of cylinder rolling down a ramp. The investigation has highlighted role of fluid behavior and
rotational dynamics, thus suggesting refinement of experimental methodologies to enhance
accuracy. Anomalies and inaccuracies were acknowledged that may have been caused by
asymmetrical distribution of mass and rotational inertia. Their influence over cylinder’s motion
was discussed, in regard to absence or presence of fluid in cylinder. The investigation sought to
understand how varying volume in a cylinder can influence its motion down a slope. The
understanding can be useful for exploring daily life phenomenon or fluid mechanics in
technology. It was hypothesized that as volume of water increased, distance travelled by the
cylinder would also decrease. The experimental data revealed a positive correlation between
volume and distance travelled, as well as between volume and time taken by the cylinder.
Graphical representations of distance-volume and time-volume relationships showed linear
trends, supporting the hypothesis of a direct proportionality between volume and motion.

Bibliography
Mass & Distance - NASA’s Universe of Learning, www.universe-of-
learning.org/files/live/sites/uol/files/home/resources/projects/informal-learning-network/_documents/UoL-ILN-
Astrolympics-Gateway-SupportingDocs.pdf. Accessed 2 Mar. 2024.

Jack PackageJack Package 8355 bronze badges, et al. “Theory behind the Relationship between the Mass of a Cylinder
and the Time Taken for It to Roll down an Incline - Air Resistance?” Physics Stack Exchange, 1 Apr. 1963,
physics.stackexchange.com/questions/334250/theory-behind-the-relationship-between-the-mass-of-a-cylinder-and-
the-time-taken.