Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

So I am doing this Marble Machine Project. Link here https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p051.shtml
So When I started doing this project, I noticed that there are 2 manipulated/independent varibles, which is the machine and the sizes of spheres. Does anyone know a way to make this project into 1 variable? Anything would do fine, even if it is a big change. Thanks.

Hi AngekNoakPardk,

So this project is a little different than the usual science experiment, because it's more of an engineering project. The size of the marbles can be viewed sort of as a constant throughout the experimental process, because they won't be changing. the point of building the machine is to sort between these two specific marble types. The machine that you design for this project will change as you make modifications to make the sorting process more accurate and quick. I this sense, the only part of your experiment that is changing is the design of the machine, not the size of the marbles which will stay the same between prototypes.

I don't think that you can do this particular experiment without having to build a machine and sort different sizes of spheres. However you can change the experiment to design a single machine that won't change and test additional different sized spheres (instead of 2 different types you can try 3 or 4). You can't really lower the number of different spheres, because the point of the machine is to sort spheres.

If you don't like this particular design, I would consider finding a different project that would suit your needs better.

I hope this helps, and if you have any other questions concerning your project, please feel free to reply on this thread.

Good Luck!
Stephen Lee

Thank you so much, I have decided that I will change my topic, but the same field study. Still making that machine, but testing it's strength instead.
Mv: Machines
Rv: How strong
Cv: How I test it

Thank you so much for your help, if I didn't receive a reply of any sort of help, I might've failed this project.