Lok Yuen

(Year 4H)
Question:

Does the shape of an object change the
speed that it falls through the water?
Method

Choose 4 objects of different shapes sphere,
cylinder, cube, and cuboid.

Drop each one of them into a bath tub filled with

water, and see how fast it hits the bottom (and
rebound).
Diagram
Prediction

I predict that the sphere will be fastest, and the
cuboid slowest.

I also predict that the cylinder will be faster than

the cube.
Fair test

My test is fair because

All objects are about the same weight18 grams each;

I drop every one of them from about the same height3

feet above the bathtub.
Results

My predictions are correct

Fastestsphere

Second fastestcylinder

Nextcube

Slowestcuboid
Results presented in a chart
Conclusion

Because of smaller water resistance, objects with
smoother surface will fall through the water faster.