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	Vernier - An Inclined Plane

Activity Overview

In this activity, students will use a Force Sensor to measure the force needed to lift an object and the force needed to pull the same object up an inclined plane. They will also calculate work done and efficiency and make conclusions.

Before the Activity

Print the attached .pdf for students. You will find one .pdf for EasyData and one .pdf for DataMate.

Activity Downloads:

(file types)

3784PSCALC-22-inclined_plane_EZ.pdf
Vernier_Act21_inclinedplane.pdf

During the Activity

Distribute the pages 22-1 to 22-4 to your class.

Follow the Activity procedures:

Set up an inclined plane using a stack of books and record the length of the board and the height of the plane in the Data Table

Attach a wooden block to the Force Sensor and pull it up the inclined plane keeping the Force Sensor parallel to and 2 cm above the inclined plane

When the block is moving at a steady rate, start collecting data, and determine the average force required to pull the block up the inclined plane

Repeat experiment without an inclined plane and determine the force needed to lift the block

After the Activity

Students will complete the Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet. They will also answer questions listed under "Processing The Data" on pages 22-3 and 22-4.

Review student results

As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging

Re-teach concepts as necessary

Other Downloads