Activity Detail
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Vernier - Air Resistance
 


Activity Overview

Students use the Vernier Motion Detector to measure the effect of air resistance on falling objects. They determine how air resistance and mass affect the terminal velocity of a falling object and then choose a force model that fits the data.

Before the Activity

  • Connect the Motion Detector to the DIG/SONIC port of the LabPro® or CBL 2™ interface
  • Use the link cable to connect the TI Graphing Calculator to the LabPro® or CBL 2™ interface
  • Start the DataMate program on the calculator
  • Position the motion sensor 2 m above the floor, pointing downward
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 13-1 to 13-4 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Release a coffee filter directly below the motion detector so that it falls toward the floor
  • Use the graph of distance versus time to calculate the velocity of the falling object
  • Repeat the experiment for 2, 3, 4, and 5 coffee filters
  • Plot a graph of velocity versus mass, and velocity squared versus mass
  • Identify the model for the drag force that best fits the data

    		After the Activity

    		Students will complete the Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet.

    Review student results.
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary

    		Other Downloads




    view standards alignment
    view textbook alignment

    Subject Area:
    Science : Physics : Kinematics

    Author:
    Vernier Software & Technology

    Level:
    9-12

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family

    Apps:
    DataMate, EasyData™

    Software:
    TI Connect™

    Accessories:
    CBL™/CBL 2™, CBR™/CBR 2™, Sensor - Motion Detector, TI Connectivity Cable, Unit-to-Unit link cables, Vernier LabPro®

    Other:

  • 5 basket-style coffee filters
  • Graph paper


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