Jamal wants to know how fast his skateboard can roll down the ramp in front of his school. So, Jamal places the back of the skateboard even with the top of the ramp and times how long it takes before the front of the skateboard reaches the end of the ramp. After he records the time, he performs this procedure again four more times and calculates the average time. During his experiment, Jamal demonstrates
his understanding of a few important scientific principles:
1. Measuring: Jamal measures the time it takes for the skateboard to roll down the ramp. This shows his understanding of the need for accurate measurements in scientific experiments.
2. Replication: Jamal performs the procedure five times, recording the time each time. By replicating the experiment multiple times, he ensures that his results are consistent and reliable.
3. Data analysis: After conducting the experiment, Jamal calculates the average time from the five trials. This demonstrates his understanding of the importance of data analysis in scientific investigations.
Overall, Jamal's experiment shows his understanding of the scientific method, which involves making observations, formulating a hypothesis, conducting experiments, and analyzing data to draw conclusions. He follows the proper procedures for measuring and replicating his experiment, allowing for a more accurate assessment of the speed of his skateboard.