Physics Lab: Stability of Water

By Zaina 9D
Research question:  To investigate how the quantity of water in a plastic bottle affects its
stability.

Variables:

The independent variable:

 My independent variable is the angle the bottle falls

 I will change the independent variable by changing the dependent variable

The dependent variable

 my dependent variable is the amount of water in the bottle

 I will measure the dependent variable by adding water after each trial

 I will repeat my measurements 3 times to be more reliable.

The controlled variables

- The friction of the material we are putting the bottle on

- The bottle used
- The density of the liquid used (water)

Hypothesis:

I predict that the bottle will probably tip over earlier when there is more water or when there
is really less water because there will be more pressure acting upon the object, therefore it
will tip faster and on the other hand the bottle will probably stay the longest on the board
when its filled up at least 200 or 300 ml because there is pressure acting on it but not too
much hence it’ll take the longest to tip over

My prediction is certainly testable because of the procedure I’m about to do to prove my

hypothesis

Methods and Materials

**Risks involved**

- Be careful that the bottle in closed properly because while measuring the angle of
when it falls so the water doesn’t fall out and create a mess
 - Keep away from the bottle while measuring the angle as it may hurt someone when it
falls

Materials:

- Movable wooden platform with a half protractor

- Distilled water
- Measuring cylinder
- Plastic bottle (1 litre)

Method:

1. Empty out a 1 litre plastic bottle

2. Keep it on a movable wooden platform with a half protractor
3. Move the board at a constant force
4. Observe the angle of the board once the bottle falls
5. Do the same at least three times for accurate results
6. Repeat steps 1-4 with 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 ml
7. Note down all your readings

Data:

Volume of Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

water
0 ml 16° 14° 16° 15°
100 ml 25° 26° 25° 25°
200 ml 26° 26° 26° 26°
300 ml 27° 27° 27° 27°
400 ml 23° 24° 25° 24°
500 ml 22° 20° 22° 21°

Observations and patterns:

Through this experiment I was able to observe that the angle at what it falls is lower at the
starting and keeps increasing until 300 ml and after that it starts decreasing again.

- I think my data was reliable because according to my research these reading are quite
accurate especially because of the pattern shown.

Validity of hypothesis:
 My hypotheses was proven correct because the highest angle was at 300 ml which was
stated in my hypothesis and which was proved through my data and the lowest angle
would be one where there is really less water and a lot of water which was again stated in
my hypothesis and proved through my data. Therefore, my hypothesis was accurate and
valid

Validity of method:

My method was valid and ethical because it was able to provide me the data which
allowed me to answer my research question. This is because I was able to receive
accurate data based on the pressure of the water and because this had given be a proper
angle and the experiment had been conducted safely and properly.

Improvements:

I would add more volumes of water to make my data more valid as I could find out the
exactly angle where it is stable the most.