Question

part c
use the materials to build prototypes for your two bumpers. tape a bumper to the box so the ball will hit it properly. set the box at the foot of the ramp so the bumper is touching the ramp. then run the test and take measurements using the setup from task 1. switch bumpers and run the second test.
perform three trials for each test, and record the data in the table. find the average of the measurements to get a final reading. (for both bumper prototypes, subtract two inches from the average because the bumper changes the starting location of the box by two inches.)

distance moved (inches)
trial 1 trial 2 trial 3 average average - 2 inches
no bumper n/a
bumper 1
bumper 2

Explanation:

Step1: Conduct tests

Perform three trials for each bumper (Bumper 1 and Bumper 2). Record the distance moved in inches for each trial.

Step2: Calculate average for each bumper

Let the distances for the three trials of a bumper be $d_1$, $d_2$, $d_3$. The average distance $\bar{d}=\frac{d_1 + d_2 + d_3}{3}$.

Step3: Adjust the average

Subtract 2 inches from the average calculated in Step 2 for both bumper prototypes. So the final reading $D=\bar{d}- 2$.

Answer:

For each bumper, follow the above - described steps to fill in the 'Average - 2 inches' column in the table. Record the distances for each trial, calculate the average of the three trials, and then subtract 2 inches to get the final value to be entered in the table.