Activity Detail
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What is Gravity?
 


Activity Overview

In this activity, students will perform a series of experiments with inclined planes. They will learn that as the angle of inclination of the inclined plane approaches 90?, the value of the acceleration of the cart traveling down the ramp gets closer and closer to that of gravitational acceleration.

Before the Activity

  • Connect the calculator to the CBR 2™
  • Install the TI Connect™ software to analyze data on the computer
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 17 - 20 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Run the Ranger program on the calculator
  • Set up an inclined plane
  • Position the CBR on the top of the ramp
  • Place the cart at the top of the inclined ramp in front of the CBR, and release it
  • Record the velocity
  • Repeat the experiment 5 more times, increasing the angle of inclination each time
  • Determine the slope for each trial
  • Calculate the acceleration
  • Tabulate the angle of inclination and acceleration data
  • Determine the acceleration of the object when the angle of inclination approaches 90?

    		After the Activity

    		Students will complete the Data Collection table and answer 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 : Linear Equations and Functions

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    9-12

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

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

    Apps:
     

    Software:
    TI Connect™

    Accessories:
    CBR™/CBR 2™, TI Connectivity Cable, Unit-to-Unit link cables

    Other:
    This is Activity 4 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Modeling Motion: High School Math Activities With The CBR

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Wooden board, 2 m long
  • Meter stick
  • Dynamics cart
  • Bricks or some books
  • Masking tape


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