Activity Detail
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Charging Up, Charging Down: Exponential Models
 


Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will use a voltage probe to collect voltage data from a discharging capacitor. They will model potential data using an exponential function.

Before the Activity

  • Connect the voltage probe to Channel 1 on the CBL 2™ or Vernier LabPro®
  • Connect the CBL 2 or LabPro to the calculator using the Unit-to-Unit cable
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 175 - 182 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Connect the voltage probe and resistor across the capacitor
  • Verify that the wires are in the correct position to confirm that the capacitor is charged
  • After the capacitor is charged, remove the battery from the circuit and begin data collection
  • Examine the graph of potential versus time displayed on the calculator and record the y-intercept on the Data Sheet
  • Graph the capacitor discharge described by the expoential model
  • Record the time at which the capacitor voltage reaches half its initial value

    		After the Activity

    		Students' will complete the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet and answer the questions listed in it.

    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:
    Math : Algebra I : Exponential Functions

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    9-12

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-73 Explorer™, TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family

    Apps:
    DataMate, EasyData™

    Software:
    TI Connect™

    Accessories:
    CBL™/CBL 2™, Sensor - Voltage, TI Connectivity Cable, TI-GRAPH LINK™ Cable, Unit-to-Unit link cables, Vernier LabPro®

    Other:
    This is Activity 18 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Real-World Math Made Easy.

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • 9-volt battery
  • 100 k-ohm resistor
  • 220 microfarad capacitor


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