Activity Detail
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How Fast was that Truck Going Anyway?
 


Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will use a Motion detector to measure how far a vehicle rolling down a ramp travels in a given time. They will use mathematical formulas to calculate the vehicle's speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Before the Activity

  • Connect the motion detector into the DIG/SONIC channel of the CBL 2
  • Download DataMate™ program
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 57 - 62 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedure:
  • Assemble a ramp and position the motion detector
  • Roll the vehicle in a straight line down the ramp and measure the distance covered in 5 seconds
  • Conduct three trials in the same manner
  • Graph the data and record the distance for each one-second interval
  • Graph average speed versus time
  • Calculate the vehicle's velocity and acceleration

    		After the Activity

    		Students' will complete 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




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    Subject Area:
    Science : Physics : Dynamics
    Science : Physical Science : Newton's Laws

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    5-8

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-73 Explorer™

    Apps:
    DataMate

    Software:
    TI Connect™, TI-GRAPH LINK™

    Accessories:
    CBL™/CBL 2™, Sensor - Motion Detector, TI Connectivity Cable, TI-GRAPH LINK™ Cable, Unit-to-Unit link cables

    Other:
    This is Activity 7 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Activities for Middle Grades Science with the CBL 2™ and TI-73.

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Vehicle (toy car or truck)
  • Ramp


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