Question

HELP!!! We are going to ask the question: How does moving the fulcrum point effect the distance a nickel can fly?

Balance the ruler so there is an equal length on both sides of the fulcrum (at the 6” mark).
Put a nickel at the one inch mark on the ruler. Record your observations in the data table.
Keep the nickel at the 1” mark. Drop a quarter on the end of the opposite end of the ruler from about 12 inches in height. Measure the distance from the end of the ruler to where the nickel lands. Record your results.
Repeat this 3 times.
Now move your fulcrum to the 9 inch mark and repeat steps 2-4.
Now more your fulcrum to the 12 inch mark and repeat steps 2-4. Which causes the nickel to fly farther? Which takes more force?
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Answer 1

more force needed would be fulcrum at 12 with nickle at 1 the one closest to the nickle would go the furthest

Answer 2

So, honestly, to figure out this experiment, it is better to use a tube or round pen instead of the triangular block (because it is easier to find and easier to balance)

Now then, you simply gotta do is place the nickel right at the 1" point on the ruler for each trial and you will drop the quarter from 12" for each trial.

After wasting a few hours getting the ruler to not rotate while I launched the coins, I got a few sample results (this was calculated from the start position of the nickel)

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Middle Trials (6")

T1: moved right about 0.5"

T2: moved left 1" and backwards 0.5" (-0.5")

T3: moved right 2" and backwards 0.5" (-0.5")

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9" trials

T1: Right about 1"

T2: Right 0.5"

T3: around 0.8" foward

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12" trials were all at 0" in change

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The 12" trial requires more force for movement while the 9" trial gave the most positive changes forwards